RALLY FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
AT THE SUPREME COURT!
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 outside 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,” said Phillip Alexander Downie, Coalition for Inclusive Schools Co-Chair and CEO of the Montgomery County Pride Family. “The right of every child to learn in an environment where they see themselves reflected, affirmed, and respected is under attack. This rally is our moment to protect that right—and ensure future generations inherit classrooms rooted in truth, equity, equality, and justice.”
The rally will feature speakers from across the country, including students, educators, national civil rights leaders, and inclusive book authors. Diverse performers and community will amplify the rally’s themes of affirming inclusive education environments, empowerment, visibility, and joy.
Confirmed Rally Co-Sponsors include:
The Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities
Live In Your Truth
MoCo Pride Center
Trans Maryland
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human 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
Kind Cotton
(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.
This rally is a nonpartisan community gathering rooted in education, advocacy, and solidarity. It is organized by nonprofit organizations committed to equity, inclusion, and justice in education. The focus of this event is to uplift the importance of inclusive learning environments, celebrate the power of diversity in our schools, and amplify the voices of those most impacted by exclusionary practices and rhetoric.
We do not endorse or oppose any political parties or candidates. Rather, we center students, families, and educators in a collective call to protect truth, dignity, and belonging in every classroom. All programming reflects our shared mission to advance opportunity, understanding, and safety for all.
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Phillip Alexander Downie
Co-Chair: Coalition For Inclusive Schools & Communities
CEO: Montgomery County Pride Family, MoCo Pride Center.INC
ceo@mocopridecenter.org
ABOUT THE HOSTS
The Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities brings together advocates, educators, families, and organizations committed to inclusive, affirming, fact and science-based education.
Live In Your Truth is an empowerment organization using media, advocacy, holistic wellness programs, and community-building to center marginalized voices.
The Montgomery County Pride Family is a leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy and cultural coalition, working across Montgomery County, Maryland, and the region to uplift and unite communities through resources, education, and joy.
Around the country, from April through June, supporters of the right to read are invited to host echo story time events. These can raise awareness of this case, support and celebrate inclusive books, offer children and families a safe and joyful space to gather, and inspire action!
GET INVOLVED!
NEWS & TESTIMONIES!
To ensure each child has the opportunity to see themselves represented in texts, curriculum, policy, and faculty in our school systems. We will seek to engage and outreach to communities not traditionally represented in the policy process in the school system, and will support our members as we all seek to understand our social locations and work through implicit biases.
Mission
Schools that offer culturally accurate representations of the diverse ways our students, families/guardians, faculty and community members exist. Acknowledging and celebrating race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual characteristics, religion, age, ability, financial means, country of origin as core aspects of the ways we move about in the world, and reflecting those lived experiences (and their overlaps) in our curriculum.
Vision
Coalition members and member organizations should be dedicated to the following (in no particular order):
Understanding our own social locations and working to better understand how to show up for and in solidarity with others by better understanding ourselves
Combating anti-LGBTQIA+ bias
Combating anti-Black bias
Combating anti-Muslim bias
Combating anti-immigrant bias
Combating ableism (visible and non-visible disabilities)
Combating anti-Asian & Pacific Islander bias
Combating anti-Latine/Latinx bias
Values
MORE ON
ECHO EVENTS
While our communities are protesting outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., you can participate in celebrating the freedom to read in your hometown by hosting an echo event. Echo events are a way to inform your community about the importance of the Mahmoud v. Taylor case, educate them about the quality, age-appropriateness, and importance of inclusive books that represent all families, and offer ideas on how to take action to foster welcoming learning environments.
These events can take many forms such as partnering with a local library or bookshop to host a Drag Story Hour, reading inclusive books during a book club meeting, or more!
Events might include some or all of the nine LGBTQIA+ picture books named in the case, along with child-centered activities. Event ideas might include…
Drag Story Hours: Drag storytellers bring extra fun, sparkle, and even bubbles!
Dress-ups: Hosts can invite children to dress up or provide costumes and accessories. Playfulness opens children to imagination, inclusiveness, and joy!
Possible Event Structures:
Book Sampler Structure: One option is to share the opening or a teaser for some or all of the books. Ending with suspense or a question can spark interest in the whole book.
Combination: Full Readings + Book Talks: Another option is to select a few books to read completely. The host might share book talks on the other books between readings.
Book events can…
Inform people about Mahmoud v. Taylor and the possible implications.
Delight children with joyful, affirming story times.
Offer a safe space for people to gather and connect with a supportive community.
Educate the public about the quality, age-appropriateness, and importance of these books for all children.
Rally people to defend reading freedom in concrete ways.
Support educators and librarians who use inclusive books. Support will become especially crucial if the Supreme Court adds extra barriers for using diverse books.
Thank you for your interest in hosting an event to defend the right to read in public schools! The toolkit below offers an overview of the Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court case, more event ideas, an activity packet, hashtags for events responding to this case, considerations for accessibility and security, and ways to take further action.
Every student deserves to see themselves reflected in the classroom. This case is about truth, equity, and the right of all young people — across race, gender, ability, and identity — to thrive. Thank you for joining us as we gather in joy, resistance, and community power!
