In a move that has sparked controversy, the California legislature, controlled by Democrats, has passed a law prohibiting any ban on race-related and LGBTQ curricula in public schools.
The law has already received the backing of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has indicated his readiness to sign it into law.
This development comes amid a backlash from several local communities against the introduction of what they perceive as far-left studies in schools. The state's Democratic leadership has responded to these objections with strong criticism and threats.
A recent case in point is the temporary restraining order issued by a county superior court against a policy by the Chino Valley Unified School District. The policy required parents to be informed if a child seeks to identify as a member of the opposite sex.
In another incident, Governor Newsom accused a school board in Temecula of bigotry and discrimination after they rejected a textbook celebrating the life of gay activist and politician Harvey Milk.
"Were going to purchase the book for these studentsthe same one that hundreds of thousands of kids are already using," Newsom declared in a statement in July. "If these extremist school board members wont do their job, we will and fine them for their incompetence."
This threat seems to allude to the newly passed law, which imposes fines on school districts that restrict books about the contributions of racial, ethnic, and LGBQT groups.
State Assemblyman Josh Hoover, a Republican, criticized the law, saying, "This bill is just another example of Sacramento stepping in and telling local school districts what they can and cannot do." His sentiments were echoed by fellow Republican Assemblyman Devon Mathis, who described the bill as "government blackmail to our locals.
However, Governor Newsom defended the law in a statement issued on Thursday. "California is the true freedom state: a place where families not political fanatics have the freedom to decide whats right for them," the statement read. "With the passage of legislation to ban book bans & ensure all students have textbooks, our states Family Agenda is now even stronger."
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