This petition calls on the leadership of the National World War II Museum to speak out against the dangers of fascism that we see rising across the world and in our own government. In this petition, signed by a collection of employees of the Museum and members of the community, we will outline why we feel the Museum should speak out.

The Museum mission statement is as follows: “The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today – so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.”
In carrying out this mission, the Museum interprets the events of World War II in the context of furthering our understanding of the Four Freedoms outlined in President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address; in examining the spirit of men and women fighting for the freedom of their oppressed neighbors; and in speaking out against authoritarianism.

Interpreting our shared history includes making clear to visitors the World War II generation understood and accepted the great costs of recognizing the fragility of democratic institutions. We have an opportunity to seize this moment in history to show the world what those Four Freedoms mean today. 

To further our understanding, we recall excerpts of President Roosevelt’s speech.

“Every realist knows that the democratic way of life is at this moment being' directly assailed in every part of the world--assailed either by arms, or by secret spreading of poisonous propaganda by those who seek to destroy unity and promote discord in nations that are still at peace.”

“ For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are:
 Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
  Jobs for those who can work.
  Security for those who need it.
  The ending of special privilege for the few.
  The preservation of civil liberties for all.
  The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.”

 “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
 The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world.
 The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world.
 The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world.
 The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world.
 That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.”

Just as the World War II generation defended democratic values, we must also stand up for our brothers and sisters of the human race to make clear that everyone is entitled to the Four Freedoms, and to not face demonization by fascists when we say so. When we see masked “law enforcement” in our communities, we must fight the fear they are stoking just like the authoritarian regimes of the World War II era. When we see our government complicit in genocide; unconstitutional and illegal military operations across the globe; feeding the interests of the ultra wealthy while sacrificing the needs of the most vulnerable, we must call it out without fear. 

And what would that look like from our point of view? While the Museum has done a great job of talking about what took place in our history, more could be done to speak about the dangers of fascism today locally and abroad. The Museum could have a statement on its website, could hold community meetings, or could publicly make a statement that we see fascism taking root the world over and how dangerous that is. Anything is better than staying silent.

This is our time to demand our nation realigns with the American values the World War II generation fought for. No one man or group gets to dictate the way this nation is run with no checks on his power. Not the President nor the ownership class who donate to his campaigns.

Germany’s invasion of Poland in September of 1939 is largely viewed as the official beginning of WWII, but there were years of Adolf Hitler’s aggression in what is now Czech Republic and Slovakia. We cannot ignore the similarities between these past several years with the events leading up to 1939. 

These signatures not only represent a desire for leadership to speak out but also as a show of support. We know what state we reside in and who is on our board. Our power is not in the words but in the people that stand behind them. 

Given who we are and what we do at the museum, it is time to show our community just what it means to speak truth to power.

If not now, then when?

If not us, then who?