Maya Henson Carey has written an analysis for the Southern Poverty Law Center that looks at the many groups working to stamp out diversity and inclusion in US schools. The article lays out some of the tactics of these Anti-Student-Inclusion groups, and it’s more than just the legal challenges (though the article looks at those, too).
Beyond legal battles, ASI groups have launched attacks on educators and professionals who advocate for DEI to make schools safe and affirming spaces for all students. Many ASI organizations have increasingly adopted harassment and public intimidation to pressure school administrators, teachers and DEI professionals into abandoning inclusive initiatives. These efforts have made it significantly more difficult for educators to foster welcoming environments without fear of reprisal, contributing to a chilling effect that discourages the adoption of equity-focused programs amid concerns over public backlash, lawsuits and personal targeting.
Defending Education, known for its legal battles against what it labels “politicized classrooms,” has also used public pressure campaigns to target educators. The group calls out school personnel and DEI consultants in online reports, labeling them purveyors of “woke indoctrination.” By naming individual teachers and professionals in its reports, Defending Education has contributed to online harassment and has fueled outrage campaigns that often spread rapidly through social media.
Perhaps most aggressive in its tactics, a group called Awake Illinois has drawn widespread criticism for harassment campaigns targeting school officials and others who implement anti-racist and LGBTQ+ inclusion policies. The group, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by opposing school mask mandates, has since broadened its scope to challenge what it calls “radical gender ideology” and “critical race theory”-based indoctrination.
Notably, the group has publicly opposed LGBTQ+-inclusive events and materials in schools and libraries, actions that have led to heightened tensions and more. After Awake Illinois promoted opposition to a drag event at the Downers Grove Public Library, threats of violence against library officials led to the event’s cancellation.
Awake Illinois has tried to silence its opponents. In October 2022, the ACLU of Illinois reported that the ASI group sent cease-and-desist letters threatening defamation lawsuits against two community members who had expressed opposition to the group’s agenda. The ACLU described these legal threats as attempts to silence dissent and curb free speech.
“Awake Illinois used baseless legal threats to try to silence those who disagreed with them,” said Rebecca Glenberg, chief supervising litigation counsel, First Amendment, of the ACLU of Illinois. “While Awake Illinois and its members consistently used harsh and often offensive language to label others as dangerous, they feigned injury when others spoke out to criticize Awake. Their threats did not deter people in Illinois who want to advocate for preserving a diversity of books in schools and libraries.”