In the wake of today's SCOTUS rulings, amidst the backdrop of state budget negotiations and Moms for Liberty convention, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:
PHILADELPHIA--"In two decisions this morning, SCOTUS continued to chisel away at the rights of our neighbors, our families, our students, our colleagues, and our loved ones. In a ruling favoring right-wing conservative Christian business owners, the court will now actively permit discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals. And in another gut-wrenching ruling, the Court ruled to completely block President Biden's enormously popular and successful student loan forgiveness program and issued a ruling that will favor the ultra rich and predatory lenders.
"These decisions are a disgrace. And these decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Coupled with yesterday's devastating decision banning affirmative action and upending progress towards racial justice, these rulings chart a deeply unsettling future for our nation.
"And, if it's even possible, the local and state backdrop for these decisions makes them even more galling. Amidst ongoing state budget negotiations, where a disgraceful Betsy DeVos-endorsed voucher bill passed the State Senate last night and now moves to the State House, too many of our elected officials are shirking their moral and constitutional obligation to meet the needs of our young people.
"This weekend, Extremist Group Moms For Liberty, which espouses disgusting, hate-filled rhetoric and promotes actively discriminatory practices, is convening in our great city. Their agenda, Southern Poverty Law Center notes, is outlined in their hateful social media posts that 'reflect views and actions that are antigovernment and conspiracy propagandist, anti-LGBTQ and anti-gender identity, and anti-inclusive curriculum.'
"I am disgusted by Moms for Liberty's presence in our great city. I am disgusted by the SCOTUS rulings that perpetuate discrimination, marginalization, and bigotry. I am disgusted by the ongoing efforts to completely decimate public education in Philadelphia.
"As always, this union remains deeply committed to fighting for justice, for equity, and for a future where everyone gets a fair shot and a level playing field."
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Statement on Senate passage of Voucher Bill
Statement on SCOTUS Decision Banning Affirmative Action