Activist fundraises to send Arabic "In God We Trust" signs to Texas schools
A Florida activist is fundraising to donate Arabic "In God We Trust" signs to Texas schools after a state law was enacted to require signs with the U.S. motto in public schools.
Why it matters: Critics have called the statute, which mandates that schools display the signs in a "conspicuous place" if they are donated, an attempt to reinforce Christian nationalist values across the state.
- The signs must "contain a representation of the United States flag centered under the national motto and a representation of the state flag." No other words, images or information are allowed.
- He says he plans to flood Texas schools with "hundreds" of donations of Arabic-language "In God We Trust" posters.
- "[W]e will not be silent while evangelical Christians stomp our collective rights."
The big picture: Several states have passed similar laws requiring the display of the motto in recent years.
- Opponents argue that such laws impose religion on students and subvert expectations that schools remain secular.