Petition to Remove Amish Legal Exemptions and Ensure Equal Rights for Amish Children

We, the undersigned, urge legislative action to remove the legal exemptions granted to the Amish community that have enabled systemic abuse and the denial of basic human rights to Amish children and others within their communities. We call for comprehensive federal investigations and reforms to ensure Amish children and community members receive the same protections and opportunities as every other American citizen.

Key Issues and Demands:

Compulsory Education Beyond Eighth Grade:

Amish children deserve the right to an education beyond the eighth grade, equipping them with the necessary skills to make informed life choices.
The outdated Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) ruling has been manipulated to deny children access to adequate education, keeping them uninformed and dependent on their communities with no viable means to transition into modern society if they choose.

Mandatory Reporting of Abuse:

Amish elders and bishops must be held legally responsible for reporting any form of abuse, including physical, mental, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse.
There must be strict legal repercussions for those who fail to report abuse or actively cover it up.

Federal Investigations into Amish Crime Handling:

There is a pervasive lack of legal accountability for crimes committed within Amish communities, especially cases of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Victims are silenced through shunning, exile, and forced compliance with Amish rules under threat of institutionalization in unlicensed mental facilities where they are drugged until they submit.
Federal oversight is needed to ensure proper law enforcement intervention and protection for victims.

Protection of Amish Children from Exploitation:

Amish children are often forced to work strenuous jobs without compensation until they reach the age of 21 or until they are married.
Parents control the children's earnings, often spending the money for personal use rather than saving it for the child’s future.
This form of financial abuse must be addressed through labor protections and enforcement of fair compensation for Amish youth.

Eliminating Special Legal Privileges for the Amish:

Law enforcement officials have openly stated that the Amish are granted special privileges that allow them to evade the law.
No religious or cultural group should be above the law or exempt from ensuring the safety and rights of its members, especially children.
Equal application of the law must be enforced to protect Amish individuals from systemic abuse, coercion, and exploitation.

Why This Matters:
Children within Amish communities are born into a life where they have no voice, no choice, and no legal protections. They are denied an education, forced into labor, silenced from reporting abuse, and subjected to severe punishments if they attempt to leave or seek justice. This must end.

We call upon lawmakers, human rights organizations, and federal authorities to take immediate action to:

Repeal religious exemptions that allow Amish children to be denied education and fair wages.
Enforce mandatory reporting of abuse.
Conduct thorough federal investigations into crimes committed within Amish communities.
Hold Amish elders and bishops accountable for covering up and perpetuating abuse.
Ensure that every child, regardless of their cultural background, has access to education, safety, and the freedom to choose their own future.
Sign this petition and stand with us to protect the rights of Amish children and demand equal treatment under the law.