We will not be silenced. We will not be erased. We will rise.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities, Live In Your Truth, and the Montgomery County Pride Family will host a landmark Rally for Inclusive Education on the steps of the United States Supreme Court.
As the nation’s highest court hears arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a pivotal case centered on the fundamental right to inclusive education and representation, human rights advocates, educators, students, families, artists, and faith leaders will unite in a bold and joyful demonstration of support for inclusive education.
This is not just about one lawsuit or one school system—it's about the soul of public education in the United States. The rally calls attention to rising efforts to ban books, erase diverse identities from curricula and classrooms; threatening the civil liberties of marginalized students and their families.
“Inclusive education isn’t just a value—it’s a necessity.”
– Phillip Alexander Downie, Co-Chair, Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities; CEO, Montgomery County Pride Family
Why This Rally Matters:
Inclusive classrooms save lives. Representation reduces stigma and affirms the dignity of all students and families.
Erasing LGBTQIA+ identities threatens us all. The push to silence queer voices is part of a broader attack on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
This case could set a national precedent. The Supreme Court’s ruling may influence education policy across the United States.
This is our moment to stand in solidarity and speak truth to power—with joy, resistance, and unity.
Join us to rally, raise our voices, and show the nation that inclusive education is non-negotiable.
Confirmed Rally Co-Sponsors include:
The Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities
Live In Your Truth
MoCo Pride Center
The Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights
National Women's Law Center
Authors Against Book Bans
Poolesville Pride
SEAT (Students Engaged in Advancing Texas)
First Conversations
Advocates for Trans Equality
PEN America
PFLAG
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Temple Emanuel of Kensington MD
National Council of Jewish Women
National Black Justice Collective
BLAQ Equity Baltimore
Interfaith Alliance
Advance Maryland
Drag Story Hour DMV
Drag Story Hour National
Rainbow Defense Coalition
(Additional co-sponsors will be announced in the coming days.)
Organizations interested in signing on as co-sponsors may still do so by contacting: robyn@liveinyourtruth.org.
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Phillip Alexander Downie
ceo@mocopridecenter.org