School Board Takeovers
Across the United States, school boards are being infiltrated by far-right white supremacists running on a campaign of "parents' rights." Usually endorsed by hate groups such as Moms for Liberty and backed by dark money, these school board members are banning "CRT," attacking trans youth and LGBTQ+ kids, and running smear campaigns on teachers who support inclusivity.
Let's get educated & let's fight back.
Pechanga Nation site here
Click here to support Native peoples in Temecula Valley!
City site here
City demographics & data here
We stand in solidarity with the students & community of Temecula, CA
Tim Thompson, head of the 412 Church in Temecula is spreading white Christian Nationalist hate throughout the area, via his sermons, his “Our Watch” Podcast, & his followers. He is part of a larger and intertwined network backed by a lot of big $- the “school board takeovers” happening in different parts of the country are all related.
In December 2022, three people endorsed by white Christian Nationalist Tim Thompson were voted into the School Board for the Temecula Valley Unified School District & are already pushing through their agenda, banning “CRT” etc.
Relevant Links:
The Pastor
The three School Board Members shown to the left were sworn in on December 13th, 2022. Their first big move was to "ban CRT"
According to their words they stand for:
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"Parent Rights"
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Colorblindness/ No CRT
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More armed cops in school, including starting a School District Police Department with more integrated officers
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Non-mention of LGBTQ+ people
Relevant Links:
CRT ban resolution passed link here
Dr. Joseph Komrosky Video
Jennifer Wiersma Video
Danny Gonzalez Video
VISIT US ON IG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TEMECULA YOUTH!
The Board
Student members of the area HS's Black Student Unions BSU have been organizing and leading student actions against the school board takeover and the dangerous repercussions of banning the history of people of the global majority and silencing student voices. Students have organized two walkouts, the second of which was this past Friday (1.13.23). There were approximately 150-200 students who walked out at each of the three area high schools!
Along with support, however, they have also faced backlash:
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Food was thrown at students who walked out on Friday
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A special board meeting called re: the student walkouts, wanting to shut them down * more on this later
The BSU President at one school, Genesis, is of Native Hawaiian and Black descent. She has been one of the most active students leading this movement and as a result has been the target of racial harassment and abuse from both adults and some of the students on campus.
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Being asked if she's been to Africa by a board member
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Being air dropped a picture of one of her Walkout flyers with “Bitch Ass” written on it.
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Specifically mentioned by Board Members as someone needing to be "silenced"
Relevant Links:
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Follow Genesis on IG to keep up on latest news and ways to support here
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LINKTREE created by the kids here
VISIT US ON IG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TEMECULA YOUTH!
The Students
"Defense of Democracy is a nonpartisan group advocating for an inclusive public education system." A motivating factor behind this group is to push back against groups like Moms for Liberty who are trying to put education in the hands of white Christian conservatives.
Local hairstylist in Temecula Jenn Reeves started up the Defense of Democracy California Chapter in response to the rise of white Christian nationalism & attack of LGBTQ+ rights happening in her community. Join & support!
Relevant Links:
Defense of Democracy California Chapter
VISIT US ON IG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TEMECULA YOUTH!
The Allies
Ali Collins is a former school board member herself who was ousted by the same white Christian Nationalist network making moves in Temecula.
Ali has been a source of information for our Collective and a leader in bringing together those of us in different groups who can work in solidarity toward the same thing! PLEASE visit Ali's page and support her work- that means with money, as well. She has done tons of work doing the research for us and making huge connections that need to be paid attention to.
Subscribe, become a patron of her podcast, "send a tip," & share with others.
Relevant Links:
VISIT US ON IG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT TEMECULA YOUTH!
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