The Republican Attorney General of Idaho, Raul Labrador, has recently criticized the use of "welcome" signs in public school classrooms, arguing that they contravene a new law prohibiting political displays.
These signs, bearing messages such as "All are welcome" and "Everyone is welcome," have been printed in multiple languages and for all gender identities, according to The Blaze.
The trend of displaying these signs, which are often associated with left-leaning ideologies, became widespread across the United States following President Donald Trump's first election victory in 2016. A group of liberal women in Twin Cities, Minnesota, claimed to have initiated the "All Are Welcome Here" movement in 2017, in response to a local high school being vandalized with racist graffiti after Trump's election.
One of these women, a school principal, ensured that "All Are Welcome Here" signs were printed in multiple languages and for all gender identities. The individual responsible for the racist graffiti was later identified and disciplined by the school, although their identity and potential motives were not disclosed.
Attorney General Labrador, aware of the origins of these signs, has deemed them inappropriate for display in Idaho's public schools. He argues that they violate HB 41, a law that bans politically charged banners and flags, particularly those associated with "a political party, race, sexual orientation, gender, or a political ideology."
Labrador's decision, issued in late May, was largely a response to Sarah Inama, a sixth-grade teacher in West Ada, who had displayed an "everyone is welcome here" sign in her classroom, featuring children's hands of various skin tones. After initially removing the sign in February, Inama later reinstated it.
"I was told that 'everyone is welcome here' is not something that everybody believes. So that's what makes it a personal opinion," Inama stated in March, following backlash that led the West Ada School District to clarify what would and would not be permitted.
In his ruling, Labrador specifically referenced the West Ada case, asserting that Inama's signs "are part of an ideological/social movement which started in Twin Cities, Minnesota, following the 2016 election of Donald Trump." He also highlighted that the Idaho Democratic Party has adopted the "everyone is welcome here" sign as a political statement and has begun selling merchandise featuring the same words and graphic.
Avery Roberts, the communications director for the Idaho Democratic Party, countered that the party is not selling the merchandise for profit, but to express solidarity with Inama against "discrimination."
"Were not doing this to make money. The signs and stickers barely cover costs. What matters is the message. Taking a stand against discrimination shouldnt be a partisan issue, and we hope leaders in every party see it that way," Roberts stated in a response to the New York Post.
Inama maintains that her message is not political, but she did acknowledge that the Minnesota women created these signs to combat racism. This admission suggests that "welcome" signs are often linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion, concepts that are typically associated with left-leaning ideologies.
Labrador views these "welcome" messages as inherently political, equating them to a "Make America Great Again" sign. He argues that such messages have no place in public school classrooms.
"Idaho welcomes every child and always should. But parents and the public know the difference between education and political indoctrination," Labrador posted on social media.
He concluded with a call to keep political agendas out of the classroom and focus on teaching reading, writing, and math, leaving parenting to the parents. This stance aligns with traditional conservative values that emphasize limited government interference and individual freedom.
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