The Supreme Court's ruling is a devastating blow to equal opportunity and diversity. By axing race-conscious admissions but leaving protections in place for legacy admissions, the court is perpetuating a system that caters to the privileged and widens the inequality gap. This decision disregards the promises made to Black and brown families about fair opportunities for education, work, and economic stability. I believe that access to education is a right, not a luxury. This ruling favors those who are born into privilege, while leaving marginalized communities behind. It is out of touch with the current needs of our country and denies the reality of systemic racism and the urgent need to address historical injustices. We all benefit from diverse communities that bring together different voices, experiences, and backgrounds. It is the lifeblood of a strong democracy, and we cannot let this decision roll back decades of progress and trample on the principles of equal protection. However, I believe that there is still hope. Colleges and universities have the power to prioritize diversity and inclusion, even in the absence of affirmative action policies. We have seen this in the state of California, where public schools had to find alternative ways to address educational disparities after affirmative action was voted down almost 30 years ago. Therefore, we urge colleges and universities to take immediate action to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their admissions processes. This can be achieved through various means, such as implementing holistic admissions processes that consider a wide range of factors, expanding outreach efforts to underrepresented communities, investing in scholarships and financial aid programs for marginalized students, creating mentorship and support programs, and collaborating with community organizations and schools to develop pipeline programs. By taking these steps, colleges and universities can demonstrate their commitment to addressing educational disparities and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society. Access to education should be a right for all, not a luxury for a privileged few. Therefore, I call on colleges and universities to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their admissions processes and take proactive measures to address educational disparities. Together, let us challenge the Supreme Court's decision and fight for a more just and equal society. Sincerely, Jonathan McGinley Portland, Oregon

We, the concerned citizens and supporters of “Literacy and Justice for all” urge the Houston Independent School District to reconsider its plans for converting library spaces into detention centers. Let us collectively protect and nurture the sanctity of libraries as beacons of knowledge and learning, fostering a love for reading and empowering students to succeed academically and beyond. By preserving these invaluable resources, we can create a more equitable and enriched educational experience for all students within the Houston community.

Book bans are on the rise, with a small group of conservative parents and right-wing Republicans leading the drive to censor books about racial injustice, sexual identity and gender expression, and an honest look at American history. Just last year, 2,500 books were challenged, restricted, and even removed from shelves in schools and libraries across the country. And some places are even punishing teachers and threatening to prosecute librarians who dare to provide books that reflect the diversity of our country. That’s why MoveOn's Banned Bookmobile is traveling across the country to cities that are ground zero in the fight against book bans, and we want YOU to join us, virtually and in person. One way you can join this work: Add your name to our petition telling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis—who has been one of the most prominent ban proponents—fellow Republican governors and legislators, GOP candidates up and down the ballot, and other MAGA Republicans that we will not silently allow them to ban our books and censor our freedom to read. And demand that all governors and state legislators take proactive steps to fighting book bans and protecting our freedom to read!

Lets protect our right to read and learn freely. Our Paris Bourbon County Library Puts Unity In Our Community.

Members of the community should sign the petition to protect our library because it is a vital resource that promotes education, fosters a sense of community, and enhances the quality of life for everyone. Signing the petition sends a strong message to the Village Board, urging them to prioritize the preservation of our library, its services, and the values it represents. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that future generations have access to a thriving library in our community.

We, the students of Northwestern University have been disheartened by the news that Dr. Sherrell Luckett will not be joining our academic community in the upcoming fall quarter. As students who recognize her exceptional qualifications and contributions to the field of drama and performance studies, we believe it is imperative to understand the reasons behind this decision and explore potential avenues for rectifying the situation. Dr. Luckett's impressive credentials are undeniable. With her distinguished position as the founding Director of the Black Acting Methods Studio and the Director of the Helen Weinberger Center for Drama and Playwriting at the University of Cincinnati (UC), she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to our institution. Her numerous affiliations and collaborations, both within and outside UC, highlight her dedication to interdisciplinary approaches and the pursuit of excellence. Her influential residencies at esteemed institutions like the Lincoln Center, Harvard University, and 92Y further demonstrate her impact on the arts and scholarship. We, the students of Northwestern University, firmly believe in the importance of transparency and fairness in our academic community. Therefore, we request that the university administration provide us with a clear explanation of the circumstances that led to Dr. Luckett's exclusion. We deserve to know why a highly qualified and respected individual has been denied the opportunity to contribute to our learning environment. By signing this petition, we express our support for Dr. Sherrell Luckett's appointment and urge the university administration to address our concerns promptly. We believe that a thorough investigation into this matter will not only promote transparency but also ensure the inclusion of exceptional scholars within our academic community.

First, some of you have asked, why boycott Marriott after the fact. Because we need to send them a message that aligning with this radical hate group "has a cost" and also send a message to all other corporations that might align with or donate to Mom's for Liberty that there "will be a cost." Moms for Liberty is an organization that has been labeled an anti-government, anti-student inclusion and a radical group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The organization has ties with the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, sovereign citizen groups, QAnon conspiracies, Christian nationalists, and in one case, with the founder of the AK-47-worshiping Rod of Iron Ministries church in Pennsylvania. The organization quotes Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin in their materials. Marriott needs fumigate the Philadelphia Downtown Hotel because once you let "roaches" in, it's hard to get rid of them Marriott's diversity policy is nonsense! Marriott's LGBTQIA+ policy is total BS! Instead they chose: Profits over diversity! Money over morality! Cash over conscience! Send them a message that if they accept hate, they don't get our business. Some of you have also mentioned that in order to sign the petition, moveon.org requests your email so they can send you email blasts. This may be true, but unlike change.org, they don't sell your information and you can immediately unsubscribe as soon as you get the first email. Additionally some of you have indicated that you have a problem with moveon.org because they have supported "extremists." Please note that when you sign our petition you are not supporting moveon.org, you are supporting our petition. If you know of a better website to host our petition, we will gladly consider it. SIGN THIS PETITION AS YOUR "PLEDGE" THAT YOU WILL NOT VISIT OR STAY AT A MARRIOTT OR AFFILIATED PROPERTY (LISTED BELOW) UNTIL MARRIOTT DISAVOWS MOM'S FOR LIBERTY! STAND STRONG AGAINST HATE! Michael "Mike" Gottesman, Attorney (Retired) Founder, New Jersey Public Education Coalition www.njpecoalition.org www.facbook.com/groups/njpec [email protected] Twitter @njpecoalition TikTok @njpecoalition

Time and time again, the far-right majority of the Supreme Court puts special interests and politics ahead of people and above delivering justice under the law. But we will not be silenced. Millions have had to wait in economic limbo for nearly a year—we will not accept a return to the failed status quo. It’s up to President Biden and his administration to ensure we finally receive promised relief another way. Student debt fuels economic, gender, and racial inequality. Our persistent racial wealth gap means that students of color, especially those who are Black and brown, are more likely to have student debt, borrow in higher quantities, and face more struggles in repayment. A higher education should be the key to a better future, instead of a lifetime debt sentence that limits borrowers’ ability to buy homes, start small businesses, and save for retirement, cutting into opportunities for wealth-building over their lifetimes. This is why student loan cancellation is so important. Republicans and Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices cannot have the last word. We won’t let them win. We have to push back and be in solidarity with each other. Together, we can keep getting loud to show the Biden administration that we need them to use every single tool in their toolbox to give millions of Americans the relief they need.

Moms for Liberty's national convention will bring hundreds of dangerous extremists to Philadelphia and feature right-wing politicians who are a threat to our democracy, including Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The Museum of the American Revolution should never have agreed to host the Moms for Liberty national convention welcome reception. Employees and patrons of the museum agree and have called on the museum to cancel, with over a third of staff signing an internal petition against hosting. The rest of the convention will take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel. And unfortunately, this isn't Marriott's first go at enabling Moms for Liberty—they also hosted their convention last year in Tampa, Florida. Our freedom to learn—and to make decisions about what our students and children can learn—is being stripped away by concerted attacks from right-wing parents like Moms for Liberty and Republican legislators dead set on politicizing our schools. It’s no surprise that Moms for Liberty targets LGBTQ+ books and books about race and racial diversity. It's the right wing's latest tactic designed to eradicate conversations students have in the classroom around genocide, white supremacy, gender, and sexuality. The Museum of the American Revolution and Marriott must do the right thing and refuse to host Moms for Liberty.

It only took one complaint and one week for a school in Miami-Dade County to restrict Amanda Gorman’s book—“The Hill We Climb”—and limit access for younger students. It was one book of several that an individual parent reported, citing that it was “not educational” and contained indirect hate speech. [1] Schools should not so swiftly censor literature based on the whims of individual parents. This is part of a sweeping trend across the country to ban and restrict books, often targeting authors and content from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. And because of conservative laws being passed on the local and state level, it’s even easier in many places for a small but loud minority to challenge books—and win. In response to the incident, Amanda Gorman wrote: “The Hill We Climb is an inaugural poem for the world. Relocating it to older age group library shelves by its nature bars younger and equally deserving generations from accessing said moment in history.” [2] Amanda Gorman made history when she read “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration—the youngest inaugural poet to date. People of all ages deserve to have access to her work and see themselves not only in the context of that moment, but also in the possibilities of the future. They, too, can make history. We refuse to allow one parent’s opinion to limit our children's freedom to read, learn, and imagine. Join us in calling on the Department of Education and State Education Departments to add “The Hill We Climb” to every associated recommended reading list in the country and to reaffirm the values of equality and access espoused in the mission of the DOE. [3] 1. “1 complaint led a Florida school to restrict access to Amanda Gorman’s famous poem,” NPR, May 25, 2023 https://www.npr.org/2023/05/24/1177877340/amanda-gorman-poem-restricted-miami-school 2. Amanda Gorman [@TheAmandaGorman], Tweet, May 24, 2023 https://twitter.com/TheAmandaGorman/status/1661590069982142465 3. "Overview and Mission Statement," U.S. Department of Education, Accessed June 20, 2023 https://www2.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml Photo Source: Penguin Random House

Music programs in schools, are a life changing thing in the lives of children. It allows them to express themselves and experience things that they would not if it were not for school. Many of our children continue to bigger and greater things, just because they were given a class that peeked their interest in school. WE NEED MUSIC TO STAY AT 264. Our kids deserve nothing but the best and that starts with keeping our beloved Mrs.Rifai at Ps264!!!!

Censorship of publicly funded libraries is a violation of our First Amendment rights and limits freedom and individuality!