Alabama Arise on Tuesday launched its Public School Strong Alabama campaign, joining a national network that advocates for full public school funding and opposes censorship and attacks on diversity and inclusion.
“The billionaires and bigots are busy organizing; those who believe in fully funded public education have to organize too,” Alabama Arise Worker Power Campaign Director Adam Keller said.
Ana Mercado of Race Forward said organizers launched the national campaign after seeing the influence Moms for Liberty began having on school districts across the country, often through relatively small groups of people.
About 72 people attended the virtual kickoff meeting, which sought to establish the campaign’s foundation in Alabama. Organizers hope to unite advocates who can support public schools in their communities while visibly participating in a broader national movement.
The Alabama campaign will focus in part on the still-developing CHOOSE Act program, which directs public funds toward private-school expenses. Critics argue that the money could instead support public schools and that some arguments promoting school choice rely on misinformation.
The campaign also plans to oppose legislation seeking to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion requirements in school systems.
