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Tell Kern High School District to Commemorate Harvey Milk Day
  1. Signatures
    293 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Kern High School District
  2. Created By
    Michael Jones
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

On May 22 of this year, scores of schools around California will mark the first annual Harvey Milk Day, a special day set aside by the state of California to honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk. On this day, scores of schools will give lessons to their students on the work that Milk did on behalf of civil rights and equality.

But there's one anti-gay activist in Bakersfield, California trying to prevent his school district, the Kern High School District, from recognizing Harvey Milk Day. The activist, Ken Mettler, said at a recent school district meeting, "Harvey Milk does not rise to the level of a special day of recognition."

Tell that to the millions of people inspired by Milk's work for equal rights, and the legacy Milk left behind in the wake of his assassination in 1978. If the Kern High School District is interested in honoring one of California's heroes (indeed, a hero for the entire U.S.), they should absolutely commemorate Harvey Milk Day.

The school district is scheduled to vote on May 19 whether to recognize Harvey Milk Day or not. Demand that they do, both for the sake of important civil rights history, as well as the LGBT students in their district who deserve to hear the story of one of America's true civil rights champions.

Recent Signatures

Commemorate Harvey Milk Day on May 22, 2010

Greetings,

At a recent school district meeting, a resolution was brought up that would prevent schools in the Kern High School District from recognizing Harvey Milk Day on May 22. I urge you to vote down this resolution, and allow schools within your district to commemorate the life and legacy of Harvey Milk.

Milk was one of the biggest champions for civil rights in California's history -- let alone the history of the United States. As one of the first openly gay politicians in American history, Milk charted a path that placed equality for all at its center. At a time when politics is perhaps at its most cynical, the life and legacy of Milk shows that "hope" can and should be a centerpiece of our political system.

I urge you to reject efforts to diminish Harvey Milk's legacy. Recognizing Harvey Milk is important, not only for students of history, but also for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students inside your school district.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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