Monthly
Newsletter 01 Nov 2025 edition
Distributed the 1st of each month.
Read the latest news about the struggle to preserve parental rights at all levels of government. Learn what the Santa Clara Moms for Liberty group has been up to, what upcoming events and functions we're having, and how you can help.
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MVLA Ethnic Studies Front and Center |
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Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. |
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Teachers present four options, decision expected next month
With a state ethnic studies mandate on hold after the California Legislature failed to provide funding for it, the Mountain View Los Altos School District is now considering options to change its existing program.
At a Sept. 29 meeting, MVLA’s school board reviewed four options for ethnic studies going forward, three of which would shorten the course to a one semester offering. Currently, ethnic studies is a required, yearlong course for all freshmen in the district. MVLA implemented ethnic studies as its ninth grade social studies course beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
The state Legislature passed a law back in 2021 to require districts to offer at least one semester of ethnic studies starting this school year. However, the state lawmakers did not allocate money to implement the course, meaning that the mandate hasn’t taken effect.
Over the past several years, ethnic studies has become a political flashpoint in California, with heated debates over the course and its content.
At Monday’s board meeting, district staff presented various ways to adjust the course, all of which would keep it as a required class. The four options were:
Model A: Full year of ethnic studies (the current district requirement) Model B: One semester of ethnic studies + one semester of health Model C: One semester of ethnic studies + one semester of world history Model D: One semester of ethnic studies + one semester of a student’s choice from a curated list of classes Several community members, including parents and teachers, took the mic to address the board about ethnic studies at the Sept. 29 meeting, with nearly all praising the district’s current set up.
Arianna Bautista Santiago, a Mountain View High School junior, said that ethnic studies gave her the chance to study how fellow members of the Latino community fought for education rights. The course allowed Santiago and her classmates to become more comfortable with one another as their understanding of each other grew throughout the year, she explained. |
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“It’s one thing to get to know one another, but there was just a feeling that in the class, you knew you could belong and not be nervous to be in it,” she said.
District staff emphasized that because all freshmen are required to take ethnic studies, students get to share in the experience of learning about the cultures and histories of marginalized communities. |
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Over the past several years, ethnic studies has become a political flashpoint in California, with heated debates over the course and its content. |
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Last spring, MVLA students had the opportunity to give their perspective on the class. In a district survey, students reported generally positive experiences with ethnic studies, although roughly 64% favored shortening the course to one-semester.
Monday’s presentation served only as an informational item, allowing board members to ask questions about the logistics of each of the models. District staff plan to hold a study session before the regular board meeting on Oct.13 to discuss the topic in more detail.
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In a district survey, students reported generally positive experiences with ethnic studies, although roughly 64% favored shortening the course to one-semester. |
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Mountain View High School Social Studies Department Coordinator Nate Bowen told the Voice after the meeting that the district put a lot of time and effort into creating a meaningful ethnic studies curriculum that gives students the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate an “increasingly complicated world.”
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“When we developed the course, we really tried to be mindful of who our community is, the great diversity of different folks that we have in our community,” he said. “We wanted a course that really got students to appreciate nuance and complexity in different situations.”
Board member Thida Cornes asked what it would take for district staff to pare down the ethnic studies curriculum to just one semester. Chelsea Doiguchi, the Los Altos High School social studies department coordinator, said it would create a “large workload” for district staff.
“Everyone on that team has different opinions on what they would like to keep, what they would want to potentially get rid of,” Doiguchi said. “There’s a lot of very passionate teachers who poured blood, sweat and tears into creating that curriculum, and so, it’ll [take] a long time.”
Board member Alex Levich thanked the district staff for their presentation, adding that she recognizes the amount of work that went into creating the year-long ethnic studies curriculum.
“I can see you guys have real pride in the quality of what was achieved, and now, the shifting state requirements are adding a bunch of complexities,” she said.
District staff urged the board to consider how changing the ethnic studies set up might affect teacher’s job stability. Levich emphasized that she wants to explore options that address this concern.
The district hopes to reach a decision on what to do with its ethnic studies course by the end of October, so that staff members have time to make any changes before the district builds its master schedule in January, Superintendent Eric Volta said. |
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Working to Amend the California Constitution The Children's Education Opportunity Act |
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Kevin McNamee |
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Joelle Mancuso |
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Lance Christensen |
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Mike Netter |
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It is well past time for California parents to be provided maximum flexibility in terms of choosing how their children are educated. |
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The Children’s Educational Opportunity Act (aka the CEO Act) is a California statewide initiative set for the November 2026 ballot. It ensures that every TK to 12th grade student receives equal funding for all educational pathways, including public, charter, private, faith-based schools, and homeschooling. By addressing educational disparities, the act expands opportunities for all students, regardless of race, family income, or zip code.
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Six Key Features of the CEO Act
1. Parents establish an Education Savings Account for their child
Parents can set up a state-controlled Education Savings Account (ESA) for their child from TK through 12th grade. This ESA is funded annually using the student's portion of voter-approved Proposition 98 funds. Initially set at $17,000, the amount adjusts yearly based on California's economic growth. These funds do not increase taxes and are tax-exempt.
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2. Parents choose the best education option for their child
Parents select an eligible school that suits their child best.Options range from public and charter schools to private, faith-based institutions, and homeschooling. The chosen school coordinates with the ESA Trust board to allocate funds for educational expenses. Parents do not handle the money directly; transactions occur between the state-controlled ESA and the selected school.
3. Covered education expenses under the Education Savings Account
The ESA covers various educational expenses, including |
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• tuition
• curriculum
• books
• online courses
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• school supplies and equipment, tutoring
• testing fees
• special needs services
• religious and academic materials |
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• transportation to and from school and school-related activities |
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4. Unused ESA funds roll over annually and accrue interest
Any unused funds within the student's ESA carry over each year, accruing interest to support future educational expenses throughout the student's life. This is not a voucher program where you lose the funding if you do not use it that year. |
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5. ESA funds are usable throughout the student's lifetime
Beyond 12th grade, any remaining ESA funds can be applied to educational expenses for |
• trade school
• community college
• university
• postgraduate studies
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This will go a long way towards reducing or eliminating student loan debt.
6. ESA funds can be transferred to another ESA or donated to an eligible school
To ensure all ESA funds are utilized effectively, any unused portions can be transferred or gifted to another family member's ESA or donated to an eligible school. |
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California Special Election Happening November 4th 2025 |
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Every vote is important!
This special election could very well end up determining which party holds control of the House in 2026, 2028, and beyond.
Before casting your ballot, take a minute to view your personalized biblical voting guide. |
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Many Democratic voters are frustrated by the party’s inability to stymie Trump’s agenda, but that same frustration will likely drive them to the polls to cast ballots against Republicans, experts said.
Indeed, the resentment among Democratic voters is likely a key factor driving the party's special election performance thus far in 2025, analysts said.
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Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
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Proposition 50 - Redrawing the Lines
Authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas' partisan redistricting legislative constitutional amendment. This would require temporary use of new congressional district maps through 2030 and direct independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume enacting congressional district maps in 2031. The amendment would establish policy supporting nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide. |
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It would appear that California is no longer interested in providing a proper republican (which is to say, representative) form of government to its citizens, as required by the Constitution of the United States. |
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Article IV Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution
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The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. |
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Why do I say this?
Let's consider a couple of facts. During the 2024 presidential election in California Donald Trump received 38.33% of the vote. During the 2020 presidential election in California Donald Trump received 32.3% to 32.4% of the vote in California (depending on which poll aggregations one consults with). Based on these counts a minimum of one third of California voters have expressed views (based on ballots cast) which do not align politically with those on the far left, those who run the state.
Per allocation based on population California currently sends 52 representatives to the United States House of Representatives. Simple math should lead one to expect that roughly 17 of California's representatives (one third of the 52) would lean conservative or independent. But that's not the case. As of January 2025, California's contingent to the House of Representatives consists of 43 Democrats and 9 Republicans. And if Gavin Newsom gets his way and Proposition 50 passes, the number of |
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Republicans will likely be cut down to 4.
Leading us to ask a very simple question: are those one third of Californians who voted for Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda receiving proper representation? |
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The Battle for Truth Rages On Recognizing Just Male and Female... |
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Left-wing outlets are describing a case before the Supreme Court as concerning the legality of “conversion therapy.” More accurately stated, the case concerns the legality of non-conversion therapy.
The case is brought by lawyers for Kaley Chiles, a “licensed counselor who helps people by talking with them,” according to court documents. Chiles is also a “practicing Christian.”
At present, the document alleges, Chiles is barred by Colorado law from having counseling conversation with minors that “might encourage them to change their ‘sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions,’ while allowing conversations that provide ‘[a]cceptance, support, and understanding for … identity exploration and development, including … [a]ssistance to a person undergoing gender transition.’” (RELATED: Harvard Hires Drag Queen ‘LaWhore Vagistan’ As Visiting Prof For Class About ‘Sexual Dissidents’)
The question before the Supreme Court: “Whether a law that censors certain conversations between counselors and their clients based on the viewpoints expressed regulates conduct or violates the Free Speech Clause.” |
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Read: “Do medical professionals have a First Amendment right to verbally affirm that a child should not — and cannot — ‘convert’ to the opposite sex?”
Left-wing media would have you believe this constitutes coercing a person into denying who they really are.
The Supreme Court “sounds skeptical of Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors,” The Washington Post writes.
NPR describes the case as regarding “conversion therapy.”
The Supreme Court “seems skeptical of Colorado’s conversion therapy ban,” The New York Times (NYT) reports. The outlet defines conversion therapy as a “practice aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of young people.”
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The assumption is that “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are immutable characteristics. Colorado law adopts the same assumption.
It’s an assumption unfounded in reality. |
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Colorado can’t help but acknowledge the mutability of “gender expression” in their own law. Transgender identity is apparently fragile enough to crumble under the pressure of a conversation.
A profession of sexuality or sex is a statement of feeling. No more, no less.
If a child tells his mother, “I am a cat,” the mother might shrug it off. If that child persists in that belief, and begins seeking medical treatment to become a cat, she may become concerned. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Here’s How Parents Can Protect Their Rights As Kids Head Back To School)
A therapist who tells that child, “You are not a cat,” is not “converting” him into a human. She is attempting to confront his deluded self-perception with reality.
Therapists in Colorado are legally barred from advocating for reality — for now. |
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Spotlights from Defending Education |
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Concerned parents are now fascists?
Randi Weingarten released her new book. It's called Why Fascists Fear Teachers.
This is an appalling book to release in the wake of recent events.
Take a guess who the fascists are?
Pretty much anyone and everyone who disagrees with Randi Weingarten, of course!
Who is Randi Weingarten?
She is the president of the AFT, American Federation of Teachers. She is in charge of one of the nation’s largest teacher unions, and she played a central role in keeping schools closed during COVID. Randi represents everything wrong with our schools — schools have become overtly political as test scores continue to plummet. |
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Defending Education recently released a bombshell investigation on teacher unions that went viral.
Teachers’ Unions spent $220+ million in dues on far-left causes!
[It is always a good idea to follow the money. Read the full investigative report here...]
The politicization of the classroom needs to end. Full stop. Our mission [at Defending Education] is to get ALL politics out of the classroom and restore quality education for all students. |
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Today’s classrooms focus way too much on teaching students WHAT to think, not HOW to think.
A small group of ideological activists, highly paid consultants, and bureaucrats in DC are working hard to divide and confuse our nation’s children while eroding the American values previous generations were taught in school.
These radical ideologues have turned schools into a platform for political activism in front of a captive audience of other people’s children.
Everyone needs to be made aware of the problem and need to be working to wrest control from those who appear determined to remove truth and morality from the discussion. |
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Defending Education’s own report reveals that more than 245 colleges and universities continue to operate DEI offices, and many are quietly finding ways to skirt the law around admissions, ignoring longstanding federal civil rights laws, the Supreme Court, and taxpayers alike.
Transparent admissions data WILL:
- Expose the existence of any admissions processes that engage in racial discrimination.
- Create a guardrail to encourage merit over race as the deciding factor in admissions.
- Restore Americans’ trust that their tax dollars are supporting fair institutions and just processes in higher education.
Greater transparency in admissions is an essential first step to ensure that these institutions follow the law, respect the civil rights of applicants, and treat all students with the dignity they deserve. |
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Seattle Public Schools requested “gender-affirming supplies” such as chest binders, Transtape, nipple guards, and tucking underwear from Seattle Children’s Hospital for the district’s “Community Health Lockers
A Freedom of Information Act request reveals that in March 2025, Seattle Public Schools’ (SPS) staff requested “gender-affirming supplies” from Seattle Children’s Hospital staff for district “Community Health Lockers.”
According to the documents, the SPS Health Education Office coordinated with the the Garfield [High School] Teen Health Center staff (operated by the Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic) for “gender-affirming supplies” such as “[chest] Binders,” “Transtape,” “(Transtape) Repair salve,” “(Transtape) Removal oil,” “(Transtape) Nipple guards,” and “Tucking underwear.” |
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Per the email, the “Community Health Locker project” was “grant-funded,” but had been “pushed back a bit as our office has been busy navigating some of the federal changes affecting LGBTQ+ communities.”
A high school student’s LinkedIn profile states that they were a “SPS (Seattle Public Schools) Community Health Locker Advocate,” and writes that the initiative was “done to expand access to gender-affirming products for gender-diverse students.” The health lockers “throughout SPS middle and high schools include chest binders, condoms, and makeup for free!” She post concludes by stating that it “helped inform over 25,000 SPS students receiving a secondary-level education, and (hopefully) many SPS students to come.”
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| Download the Seattle Children’s Hospital ’Gender affirming care’ document |
A November 25, 2024, email from the district Health Education Office to “counselors, nurses, club advisors, and other supporters of our queer students and families” states the “holiday season can be a challenge for our LGBTQ+ students, and we frequently see an uptick in mental health crises and suicidal ideation during this time.” It continues: “Queer and trans youth with non-accepting families, or who depend on schools for basic necessities, are most at risk.”
The email includes links to resources that staff and faculty can “pass along to your LGBTQ+ students who many be struggling, or share about through school-based communication channels.” Notable resources include the Trevor Project and it’s Trans Lifeline service, and “safe places” such as select community organizations.
The email concludes by stating that “Holidays are hard for everyone, but they can be especially hard for queer and trans folks. Remember that this time won’t last forever, and that there is a huge community waiting on the other side -- people who will love you just as you are.” |
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Support School Board Trustees Who Protect Children and Promote Liberty |
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Continue to support Santa Clara County schoolboard trustees who support parental rights and preserve Christian values. They are:
Oak Grove School District: Otila Torres San Jose Unified School District: Nicole Gribstad Franklin-McKinley School District: Marc Cooper Morgan Hill School District: Pam Gardiner, Rebecca Munson Alum Rock Union School District: Linda Chavez Cupertino Union School District: Long Jiao Palo Alto Unified School District Rowena Chiu
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Franklin-McKinley school board trustee Marc Cooper has announced that he will run once again for the board in 2026. Please support his candidacy however you can. His is the lone voice of reason on a completely woke board. |
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A good many people cringe at the very thought of speaking in a public setting. Some say they'd actually prefer having to go to the dentist to have a cavity filled. I get it. I do. But it's really not that bad, and it's important. Here are a few key reasons why.
You have a very limited amount of time to speak. (And yes, you will be on a timer). Normally each person is alotted three minutes to talk, although depending on the agenda and how many people wish to address the board the time can be cut down to two or even just one minute.cour You don't have to make use of the entire block of time given you. Keep comments short and sweet. Just speak your piece and sit down. |
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You don't have to speak from memory. It is perfectly acceptable to read a statement off of a sheet of paper, a cell phone, or a laptop. Know that all comments become part of the public record. This is hugely important. One of the key components of being a citizen in a representative republic is making sure your views are known. This is done at the voting booth, yes, but it is also done at school board, city council, and townhall meetings. Make your voice heard. |
| See the SCOTUS Imposed Opt Out Requirement |
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America 250 in 2026 |
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Moms for Liberty: Helping to foster a renewed culture of service and patriotism... |
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Moms for Liberty California Endorses Sonja Shaw for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
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Sonja Shaw, a devoted mom and tigress when it comes to defending the welfare of her two young daughters, decided to take on a broken public school system that has strayed from its central mission of providing a solid education to California's children.
Sonja was elected to the Board of Education in November 2022. Born and raised in Chino California, Sonja was educated in Chino Valley schools and graduated from Ayala High School. She lives in Chino with her husband Chris and their two children Jaxx and Kooper, both of whom attend Chino Valley schools.
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Ms. Sonja Shaw |
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Before serving on the school board, Sonja owned and operated two small businesses: one involving training women about fitness and health and the other a professional photography studio. She has also previously held a California Real Estate License. Today, Sonja continues to lead a small community-based Bible study. She was motivated to run for school board to give parents a seat at the education table.
Sonja has served as President of the Board of Education since 2023. She represents her District as City of Chino Liaison and as a representative of the Baldy View Regional Occupational Program Commission. |
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The California chapters of Moms for Liberty are proud to support Sonja Shaw in her run for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Godspeed Sonja! |
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Speaking with Sonja about how we can help her campaign... |
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The Ongoing Impact of Charlie Kirk and Turning Point |
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The TPUSA Freedom Fighter Newsletter Issue 01, posted October 10 2025 |
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One month ago, our nation lost a patriot, a leader, and a fearless fighter for truth.
Charlie Kirk didn't just inspire a generation, he mobilized one. And now, in the wake of his assassination, what we are witnessing is nothing short of a national awakening.
Over 110,000,000 individuals tuned into Charlie's memorial service, lighting the world on fire with a message of faith and freedom.
Over 121,000 new chapter inquiries have poured in nationwide since Charlie's passing, doubling his original goal of 20,000.
Faith is rising: Church attendance is up 15%. Bible sales are surging, and faith leaders across the country are calling it the "Charlie Kirk Effect" as a new wave of young people return to Christianity.
The State of Oklahoma has partnered with TPUSA to launch Club America chapters in high schools statewide.
Tens of thousands of patriots have shown up and expanded the campus tour like never before:
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MINNESOTA |
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VIRGINIA |
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UTAH |
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MONTANA |
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Charlie said the movement doesn't belong to one man. It belongs to the people.
Every church filled. Every student chapter launched. Every young American standing up for truth. That's the legacy Charlie left behind. And it's the one we'll continue to fight for. |
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Welcome to the first edition of The Freedom Fighter.
This newsletter will bring you stories from the frontlines of our movement -- TPUSA contributors covering trending cultural moments, bold campus action, and ways you can take a stand for America. In the spirit of Charlie Kirk's signature Q&A style, we invite you to pick up the mic and make your voice heard.
For Freedom,
The Turning Point USA Team |
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A recent Gallup poll showed that a record-low 58% of Americans are extremely or very proud to be an American.
As early as 2003, the same poll had 99% being extremely or very proud.
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of a deliberate leftist effort to indoctrinate the American public against our founding principles that make our nation great.
That’s how we got to a point where leftist Americans celebrate political assassinations!
We have to move our nation back towards our founding principles. |
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A Decision on CFER v. UCSD |
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CFER took the University of California Board of Regents, University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Black Alumni Scholarship Fund to court in July to challenge a race-based scholarship named “Black Academic Excellence Initiative (BAEI).” Knowing that BAEI was blatantly unconstitutional, the defendants reached out to settle immediately following our legal filings.
This week, CFER v. UCSD was successfully concluded with the permanent elimination of BAEI.
To replace the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund, the San Diego Foundation (SDF, nonprofit administrator of the scholarship) launched the Lennon Goins Alumni Scholarship Fund (GASF), which offers scholarships to UCSD students based on individual needs, merit and community service. Both UCSD and SDF have pledged to CFER and our co-plaintiffs that neither race nor any race proxy will be employed in the implementation of the new scholarship.
This is a great win for equal rights. Thanks to our excellent legal counsel from the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), we were able to stop a 42-year-old racial-favor program in less than three months!
"We are pleased that UC San Diego has eliminated the race-based criteria from its scholarship program. Awarding scholarships on the basis of race is a practice that has no place in the American university system,” said PLF attorney Jack Brown who represented CFER in this case. “We're proud to have helped our clients fight for equality for students at the University."
BAEI was a partnership between UCSD’s Black Alumni Council and the San Diego Foundation that gives qualified UCSD students both financial aid and mentorship opportunities. It is only available for “admitted Black undergraduates.” Although UCSD denied any official involvement in the selection of the scholarship recipients and in its administration, our lawsuit provided overwhelming evidence that the school, a public university funded by California taxpayers, is intimately engaged in the history and current operations of BAEI. |
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The success was a collective effort. We were joined by CFER members who are: 1. Mr. Kai Peters, a non-Black UCSD junior who would have participated in both the financial and mentorship components of BAEI; 2. a current UCSD student who was excluded from BASF due to her race (CFER Member A); 3. an Asian American high schooler who has plans to apply to UCSD (CFER Member B); 4. Multiple CFER high school members with plans to apply to UCSD (CFER High School Members).
Now, with the new merit-based scholarship, these CFER members will have equal access to the financial and educational resources that were not available to them |
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A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
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previously due to race. Going forward, CFER will continue to monitor developments pertaining to the new scholarship to ensure that UCSD and SDF do not violate the terms of our settlement in smuggling in race considerations.
Although we contend with an unfavorable political environment and wrestle with a divisive culture, we are determined to press on with the cause of equality in both the court of law and the court of public opinions. Prompting UCSD to do away with the race-centric scholarship is the third legal advocacy victory CFER has achieved this year! We will carry on because the principle of equal protection must be defended time and again. If you believe in our resolve and our track record, I want to ask you to consider CFER in your charitable giving to help us further our work. You can also join as a CFER member and help us launch more legal challenges in support of equality. |
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Moms for Liberty Summit Recap |
For those (like me) who were unable to make it to Orlando for this year's Summit gathering, some coverage by Real America's Voice to provide a flavor of what took place... |
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When Christians Refuse To Accept A Lie |
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A devout Christian couple has been stripped of their foster license after refusing to sign a gender-affirming policy they say conflicts with their faith.
Lydia and Heath Marvin, from Woburn, Massachusetts, have looked after eight children under the age of four since 2020, including many infants and toddlers with serious medical needs. |
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But the couple say social workers pulled their license because they refused to sign a clause requiring foster parents to 'support, respect, and affirm a foster child's sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.'
It put them in a position where they were essentially forced them to choose between their religion and the vulnerable children they had dedicated their lives to helping.
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"We will absolutely love and support and care for any child in our home, but we simply can't agree to go against our Christian faith in this area."
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'We were told you must sign the form as is or you will be delicensed,' Lydia told WBZ. 'We will absolutely love and support and care for any child in our home, but we simply can't agree to go against our Christian faith in this area.
'Our Christian faith, it really drives us toward that,' husband Heath explained. '[The Book of James] says that true, undefiled religion is to care for the fatherless.'
The Marvins say they were blindsided by the decision. Their last foster child, a baby with complex medical needs, lived with them for 15 months.
'Every night for 15 months, we were up at least three times,' Lydia said. 'We certainly thought we would have young children in our home for… we didn't know how long, but we were not done.' |
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Lydia and Heath Marvin, a devout Christian couple from Massachusetts, have fostered eight children under the age of four since 2020, including many infants with serious medical needs. |
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The couple had reconfigured their home to welcome foster children, setting up cribs, play areas, and baby monitors. One infant they cared for required medical attention every few hours.
But officials from Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) informed the couple in April that their refusal to sign the new policy meant their license would not be renewed. This came despite the agency's own social worker describing them as 'uniquely dedicated' foster parents who had successfully cared for children most others would not take in.
They are now considering legal options, while two other Christian foster families have already joined a federal lawsuit against DCF, represented by the Massachusetts Family Institute and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
The suit argues that Massachusetts is effectively forcing foster parents to 'renounce their beliefs in both speech and practice', The pair say it is a violation of the First Amendment's religious liberty protections. |
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The case drew national attention last week after the Trump administration sent a formal letter to DCF condemning its gender-affirming requirement and citing the Marvins by name.
'These policies and developments are deeply troubling, clearly contrary to the purpose of child welfare programs, and in direct violation of First Amendment protections,' wrote Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families.
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families declined to discuss the Marvins' specific case, citing ongoing litigation, but defended its policy in a statement to the Boston Globe.
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Andrew Gradison (pictured) labeled the policies in question 'deeply troubling'. |
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'Foster homes are a refuge from serious child abuse and neglect and a place for children to heal,' a spokesman said.
'The Department of Children and Families works in partnership with foster parents to understand a child's trauma and to meet their physical and emotional needs by providing safe, consistent, and supportive relationships to thrive.' |
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Lydia and Heath Marvin,say the gender-affirming policy they refused to sign conflicts with their faith, leading to being put in the position of choosing between their religion and vulnerable children. |
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Advocates for LGBTQ+ youth argue the state's rule is essential to ensuring vulnerable children feel safe and affirmed.
'The state has an obligation to make sure children are safe and well protected,' said Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).
'Foster parents are not parents - they're a stopgap to ensure children can safely go back to their families of origin.'
A report from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth estimated that around 30 percent of foster children in the state identify as LGBTQ, a similar figure to data in California and New York.
According to HopeWell, a statewide foster nonprofit, there are between 8,000 and 9,000 children in state care but only about 5,500 licensed foster parents.
Nearly half of those children are moved more than twice a year - one of the worst stability rates in the nation. |
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The Boston Globe reported how that the state also has the fifth-highest number of children in group homes and the fourth-highest rate of abuse in foster care.
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For now, Lydia and Heath say their home remains quiet.
'Now it seems like there's no path forward,' Lydia said. 'We certainly thought we would have young children in our home for a long time. We weren't done having young children.
'We weren't just going to say we care for the fatherless and widows and give money to some entity. We were actually going to do it ourselves, together as a family, and our kids would be a part of that.' |
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The DCF requires foster parents to 'support, respect, and affirm a foster child's sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression' |
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The Fraud That Is Transgender Care |
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The concept of "gender affirming care" represents the greatest fraud in the history of academic medicine but we are now finding out it was funded by what is likely the largest insurance scam in the history of insurance scams.
For years the LGBTQ organizations advocated for use of "alternative" billing codes when insurance wouldn't cover hormones and/or surgery.
Like when Campaign for Southern Equality (see screenshot) advocated for use of the "painful menses" diagnosis when insurance wouldn't cover a "gender affirming hysterectomy."
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They even discussed it openly with journalists (see quoted post) where doctors would talk about entering codes until surgeries got approved.
The reason these clinics are now under federal criminal investigation is because many (if not the vast majority) of these diagnosis were entirely fraudulent - meaning there was no clinical evidence the patient actually had the diagnosis the doctors were coding for. |
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Since hormones/surgery are easier to get covered in ICD-10 with codes for physical diseases, what are gender docs doing in the meantime?
Article explains - "enter the ICD-10 code for pelvic pain, as opposed to gender dysphoria" for coverage of gender affirming hysterectomy.
They simply "enter the ICD-10 code" and magically the insurance money red light turns green.
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Florida sues California over sanctuary policies on immigration An article posted to WFTP9 on Oct 16 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against the state of California and Gov. Gavin Newsom in the U.S. Supreme Court over California’s sanctuary policies on immigration.
The lawsuit follows the arrest of Harjinder Singh, an undocumented migrant, for a deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike in Saint Lucie County that resulted in the deaths of three people.
Singh received his driver’s license in California, and investigators say he made an illegal U-turn.
“They are culpable. They care more about their love affair with illegals than protecting American citizens... American victims that suffer every day,” Uthmeier said.
The crash involving Singh has intensified the debate over sanctuary policies, with critics arguing that such policies enable undocumented migrants to evade federal immigration laws.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for state-level immigration policies and their alignment with federal law. |
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Wednesday it is withholding more than $40 million in federal highway safety funding from California, over the state failing to comply with English language proficiency guidelines for commercial drivers.
“I put states on notice this summer: enforce the Trump Administration’s English language requirements or the checks stop coming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a DOT release. “California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement.”
“This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on America’s roads.”
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Think this an academic argument? Think again. Victims of an illegal u-turn being made on a Florida Turnpike: 30-year-old Herby Dufresne of Florida City, 37-year-old Faniola Joseph of Pompano Beach and 54-year-old Rodrique Dor of Miami. |
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Duffy added that California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) “insistence on obstructing federal law has tied my hands.”
When reached for comment, Newsom spokesperson Diana Crofts-Pelayo said the Transportation secretary “needs a lesson on his own road rules.” Crofts-Pelayo added that statistics show California commercial truck drivers have a lower crash rate than the national average. |
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The Hill has also reached out to the California Department of Motor Vehicles for comment.
In April, President Trump signed an executive order requiring commercial truck drivers to be proficient in English, nearly two months after he signed an order designating English as the national language.
Duffy signed an order in May that aligned Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) policy with the president’s order.
The funding, totaling nearly $40.7 million, is from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The program provides funding for states to conduct roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits of trucking companies and public education campaigns, according to the DOT.
According to the FMSA, which oversees MCSAP grants, the program provided $480 million in funding in fiscal 2024.
In August, Duffy threatened to withhold funding from California, Washington state and New Mexico if they did not come up with “corrective plans” that complied with federal law within 30 days.
“This is not just us saying we have some obscure rule, this is about keeping people safe on the road — your families, your loved ones, your kids,” Duffy told reporters at the time.
On Sept. 25, at the end of that grace period, the California State Transportation Agency’s general counsel, Alicia Fowler, wrote a letter to Jesse Ellison, DOT’s chief counsel, outlining the state’s compliance efforts.
The letter, obtained by The Hill, states that a commercial truck driver, in accordance with California law, must pass a test assessing their “ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and directional signs.” It also notes that the California Commercial Driver Handbook requires all skills tests to be conducted in the English language.
“Thus, in California, the licensing process that confirms English language proficiency before a license is issued fully complies with federal requirements,” the letter adds.
The DOT, when reached for comment, provided The Hill with a letter it sent to Newsom and Fowler on Wednesday. The letter states that California’s arguments are “misplaced,” and says that the state claiming its skills test policy satisfies federal standards “overlooks the obligation to ensure that all interstate drivers operating within California, regardless of where they are licensed, meet the” English language proficiency requirement.
The letter noted that DOT and FMCSA will restore the funding “as soon as California begins full enforcement and compliance” with the standards. |
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Conservative education PAC gathering reports of teachers celebrating Charlie Kirk's death An article by Joshua Q. Nelson in a post on Fox News Digital on Oct 10 2025 |
1776 Project PAC says it's gathered more than 100 reports of educators celebrating Kirk's killing |
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A conservative education reform organization says it's gathered "over a hundred" reports of educators celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death.
"I think that we have kind of just called it accountability," 1776 Project PAC Executive Director Stefano Forte told Fox News Digital.
"We decided to do this because we want to make sure that the next generation of students is not being taught by radicals in the classroom. And we have gotten a ton of submissions. We are sifting through all of them. There are still submissions coming in," Forte said. |
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Attendees hold candles on Sept. 10, 2025, during a Seattle vigil for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead that day while speaking at Utah Valley University. (David Ryder/Getty Images) |
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Since Kirk’s murder on Sept. 10, there have been several instances of educators and administrators celebrating or making insensitive comments about his death, prompting backlash.
The 1776 Project PAC was launched in 2021 by Ryan Girdusky during the coronavirus pandemic to combat progressive-led efforts in the education system. Its mission is to reform school boards across |
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the country by supporting conservative candidates.
"We are one of the only PACs, federal PACs in the country that does this. This is a very niche PAC. We do school board races. We've done other races in the past, but our bread and butter is the school board races. And the reason why we're pouring so much money into school board races is because, traditionally, the establishment of the Republican Party has not really made this a priority for themselves. They haven't really gone after school boards," Forte said. |
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CELEBRATORY, DISMISSIVE REACTIONS TO CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH PUTTING EDUCATORS UNDER SCRUTINY
Learn more... |
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Forte explained further that the 1776 Project PAC noticed the learning loss incurred from COVID-induced school lockdowns, declining grades and eroded standards in the classroom.
Since April, the PAC has backed more than 350 school board races and won more than 200 school board seats across the country.
Forte added that the effort to oust teachers celebrating the death of Kirk is to expose the "radical element" of the public school system. The PAC launched a form to allow anyone to report instances of educators and administrators celebrating the death of Kirk, who was assassinated last month. The PAC wants to hold those accountable for celebrating the conservative leader's death.
"So what this accountability project does for us is it gives parents a well-rounded view of the people that are teaching their kids. So it is absolutely pivotal. We do not want to dampen anybody's free speech. We want to accelerate their free speech, we want to give them an even bigger platform, so people can know what they truly believe," Forte said.
"We've gotten thousands of them. I believe that about a hundred of them will be valid by the time we're done sifting through everything," he added. |
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Kirk's assassination on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University pushed TPUSA into its greatest prominence yet.
Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, was last month named CEO and chair of the board of TPUSA, which operates 900 college chapters and about 1,200 high school chapters.
In contrast to some of the ugliness seen in reaction to her husband's death, Erika Kirk was lauded around the nation for forgiving her husband's suspected killer at his memorial service. |
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YEARS OF CAMPUS ATTACKS ON CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS RESURFACE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER
Learn more... |
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"If you are putting your face, your name, you are saying that you believe that the death of Charlie Kirk is something to celebrate about. All we are doing as an organization is saying, 'Great, we amplify your voice. We've given you a megaphone,'" Forte said.
He continued, "Now everybody knows about it. Your coworkers know about it, your students know about it, the administrators know about it. The school board knows about it. That's what we're trying to do."
Turning Point USA has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. |
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Book Banning? No. Book Curating? Absolutely! |
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Karen England's organization Take Back the Classroom continues to work hard towards seeing to it that age inappropriate materials are removed from school libraries. As Karen says: |
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[I]t is imperative that all school districts review their policies and ensure they are following the Supreme Court ruling*. This will not only create a safer and more respectful environment for students but also ensure that the district is not liable for any legal repercussions.
We urge all school administrators and boards to take this matter seriously and take appropriate action to address pervasive vulgarity in their schools.
* In 1982, the Supreme Court provided guidance on how school boards and administrators should address pervasive vulgarity in their schools. It is important to note that a Supreme Court ruling supersedes any state law or local district policy. |
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Karen England, a warrior fighting to keep pornography out of the hands of children. It was great to talk with her recently. |
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"Parents are the first and strongest advocates for their children. When we stand up and speak out, we can take back the classroom, reclaim our rights, and protect our kids from state-sponsored grooming."
- Karen England Founder, Take Back The Classroom
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The three key points when addressing obscene materials within schools:
School boards and administrators are responsible for supervising the education of students in their care, and as such can remove materials that they deem unsuitable or pervasively vulgar. School boards cannot impede a student’s right to read a book just because the board objects to a certain view point or idea contained within that book. School boards need to follow well defined, established procedures when removing materials from school libraries. |
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Take Back the Classroom, is featured in Natasha Crain’s new book, “When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square.”
On page 229, Natasha lists seven actions for the common good. She points parents to TakeBackTheClassroom.com as a national resource to uncover and remove pornographic books from school libraries and to protect children.
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“The website takebacktheclassroom.com is an example of one organization working to coordinate efforts nationally. They even offer a tool kit that provides a step-by-step guide on how to get problematic books removed.”
- Natasha Crain, When Culture Hates You |
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Charlie Kirk's Day of Remembrance: October 14th |
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Presidential Medal of Freedom |
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October 14th 2025 would have been Charlie Kirk's 32nd birthday. An Act of Congress has designated the date October 14 a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. |
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At the first of these remembrance celebrations, President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. The award was presented to Kirk’s widow, Erika, at a ceremony which took place in the White House Rose Garden. |
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Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images |
Per a note from the team at Turning Point USA, in honor of Charlie's 31 years on earth, |
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1) Honor the Sabbath 2) Journal every day 3) Send scripture to friends 4) Talk with people you disagree with 5) Register to vote 6) Get married 7) Have kids 8) Go to church 9) Work out 10) Get sun 11) Ask spouse, "How can I better serve you?" 12) Read your Bible every day 13) Stand up for your beliefs 14) Eat hot sauce 15) Carry a pocket Constitution 16) Support local businesses 17) Drink a Mint Majesty tea with 2 honeys 18) Avoid drugs and alcohol 19) Fear not what others think of you 20) Get 8 hours of sleep 21) Limit your social media intake 22) Touch grass and get out in nature 23) Learn something new every day 24) Be a leader, not a follower 25) Never surrender 26) Be bold and courageous 27) Outwork your enemy 28) Read The College Scam 29) Work to own land 30) Become ungovernable
31) Pick up the mic |
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| Read House Resolution 719 |
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Across the country, TPUSA students are turning tailgates into full-blown Freedom Zones, because they refuse to sit on the sidelines.
The first Freedom Zone Tailgate kicked off at the Penn State vs. Oregon game. Benny Johnson joined the students to carry Charlie's message right into the heart of game day.
Over 5000 students flooded the stadium in FREEDOM shirts. You couldn't miss it ... and that's the point! |
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INCREDIBLE: For the First Time in American History A Christian Cross has been Engraved onto the Presidential Medal of Freedom in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Erika Kirk wanted to share this with everyone as a testament of Charlie's powerful work advancing The Kingdom of Jesus Christ. |
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Charlie's life offers a reminder to us all that character is not proven in a single moment but rather in how we live each and every day. |
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Sign on Chariie Kirk's desk |
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Become a Part of the Frontlines... |
The Santa Clara chapter of Moms for Liberty would like to invite anyone interested in working as the group's vice-chair to give the idea serious consideration. It is both a rewarding and important task
Qualifications for the role include:
* Dedication to the idea of fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
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* Advocacy for the proper and effective education of America's youth.
* Understanding of precisely how we engage with the public to - Promote liberty - Spread awareness - Engage on key issues - Hold leaders accountable - Oppose government overreach - Activate for patriots to public service |
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Want to See the Change? Be the Change... |
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If you share our concern over what has been taking place in our classrooms, please consider joining with us as we fight for families, for children, for education, for truth, and for common sense.
We continue to ask people whether they understand what is now taking place within our school systems. We continue to provide information and resources to help people, especially parents, gain some idea of what's being taught to kids (and why). And yes, we continue to ask people to get involved and help with the lifting.
We fight against children being taught to hate their country, to judge people based on the color of their skin, and to ignore the basic truths of biology. We fight against the sexualization in school of little ones and the destruction of the innocence of youth. Perhaps most importantly, we fight to ensure that the proper teaching of math, reading and writing remain at the forefront of a child's education.
The idea that it is parents who are responsible for raising, educating, and seeing to the well being of their kids, that is sacrosanct.
Join with us in preserving the attributes and ideals of this great nation. Associate Membership comes free of dues.
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Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and family. Actually anyone who acknowledges the fundamental right of parents to raise, educate, and protect their children are invited to join with us. We are gathering a group of joyful warriors, folks who understands why (and for whom) we fight.
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Organizations whose efforts we support... |
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The essence of America - that which really unites us - is not ethnicity or nationality or religion - it is an idea - and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. |
- Condoleezza Rice |
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Moms for Liberty Santa Clara County operates as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.
The organization's primary mission is to organize, educate and empower parents
to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
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