Pledge of Resistance
#educatorsresist
In
the face of an incoming administration that has repeatedly threatened
Immigrants, Muslims, Women, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ+ communities, working
class people, African Americans and other People of Color - we, as educators,
must take a stand.
We
are aware of the bitter lessons of history, and will not be silent or neutral. If not stopped, the Trump administration will
intensify the existing attacks on the oppressed, and put humanity and the
planet in grave danger.
We refuse to cooperate with or normalize a government
administration that empowers, enables, and emboldens the forces of fascism and
white supremacy. We refuse to accept the persecution of people
because of who they are, what abilities they have, who they love, where they
come from, what religion they practice, the language they speak, or the
documents they do or do not possess. We refuse to accept the suppression of
dissent and basic democratic rights.
We call on all school workers and students to build independent
solidarity committees.
These committees will cohere our resistance across
institutions, and defend all students, school workers and community members
against attack. These committees will also contribute toward a broader
offensive through mass struggle and mobilization for material improvements in
the lives of our students and communities, such as living wages, affordable
housing, healthcare, public education, labor rights, and protection from state
sanctioned violence.
We do
not make this pledge lightly. We recognize the seriousness of the threat at
hand. We will come to the defense of those attacked for who they are and those
standing up to the forces of repression. We accept this responsibility and will
put our bodies and reputations on the line to uphold it.
We
will teach empathy and solidarity in the face of attempts to divide us.
We
will teach courage and speaking truth to power in the face of intimidation and
lies.
We
will teach critical thinking in the face of dogma and pressure to conform.
This
critical moment for humanity calls on us more than ever to unleash the creative
imagining of a more just world. Through our words and actions, we will fight
for justice, peace, and a world deserving of the intellect, creativity,
strength, and spirit of our students.
