Contact: Cassie Creswell, Illinois Families for Public Schools, 716-536-9313
Myles Brady Davis, Equality Illinois, 312-613-3127
When: Saturday September 24, 2022, 9:30am
What: Press conference
Who: Coalition of families, educators, Equality Illinois, ADL Midwest, Illinois Families for Public Schools, Illinois NOW, and other advocacy orgs
Where: In front of Marriott Des Plaines (2950 S. River Road) where a school board candidate training sponsored by Moms for Liberty and Awake Illinois is being held inside, one of many across the state Livestream: www.facebook.com/ILFamiliesforPublicSchools
Why: Hate is spreading in Illinois as anti-equity, anti-family, anti-equality groups have made calls to action against LGBTQ+ friendly events, harassed school board members and staff, mounted opposition to diverse and rich history curriculum that reflects all students, called for book bans, and more. These groups are posing as concerned parents but are anti-family and anti-equity across the board.
Parents from impacted communities and state and local organizations will gather to connect the dots for how extremism is seeping into the public sphere—whether it be at school boards, public libraries, bakeries that support LGBTQ+ rights, or papering citizens’ front yards with hate fliers.
Speakers:
Asafonie Obed, Parent, District 204 (Indian Prairie) (Video of her story)
Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Equality Illinois, deputy director
Kylie Spahn, parent, District 99 (Downers Grove)
Statement from Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Shannon Limjuco, parent, District 200 (Wheaton)
Tim Thompson, parent, District 203 (Naperville)
Elana Jacobs, District 219 (Niles Township) school board member
Statement from ADL Midwest
Co-sponsoring organizations:
Equality Illinois, Illinois Families for Public Schools, ADL Midwest, Illinois NOW, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, National Council of Jewish Women – Chicago North Shore, American Association of University Women – Naperville Area, Buffalo Grove Pride, Indivisible Naperville, Northwest Side Organizing for America (NWSOFA), North/Northwest Suburban Chicago Chapter of NOW, Peoria NOW, DuPage County NOW, Will County NOW, 360 Youth Services
# # #