Ben & Jerry鈥檚 Canada is warning that far-right candidates 鈥渁re trying to stack school boards鈥� in the upcoming elections, and urges people to get out and vote.
鈥淵ou may not be paying attention to who is running for school boards trustees,鈥� the ice cream company tweeted. 鈥淏ut you should! The far-right is running candidates who are making our schools more dangerous for queer, trans, and racialized youth.鈥�
They point out on their website that some might be seeing this attempt to influence school boards because trustees have the power to either restrict spending on supports for race, gender, sex education, or identity, 鈥� or they can protect the rights of teachers and students by talking and learning about these issues.
Some candidates that identify with the religious right-wing politically, branding themselves as 鈥渁nti-woke鈥� or 鈥減arental rights,鈥� have been disparaging the anti-bullying program SOGI 123, which strives to make schools safe from bigotry and intolerance at the classroom level.
鈥淪chool board trustees can have an enormous influence on spending and policies in schools, as well as what resources are available to teachers and students,鈥� the reads.
As elections approach in many communities this weekend, the ice cream moguls are recommending that people 鈥渧ote for schools that are safe for all kids鈥� and highlight the work of the group AntiHate.ca
A number of provinces and territories are having elections in the next month including B.C., Northwest Territories, Ontario and Manitoba.
鈥淢ake sure your school board prioritizes the well-being of all children, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality,鈥� they added.
Twitter account, Change 4 Chilliwack, noticed the B&J tweet, and retweeted with the comment: 鈥測ou know it鈥檚 serious when Ben & Jerry鈥檚 weighs in.鈥�
You know it鈥檚 serious when Ben & Jerry weigh in
鈥� Change4Chilliwack (@C4Chilliwack)
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