Idaho AG bans ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ signs at public schools

Idaho Attorney General Orders Removal of “Everyone is Welcome Here” Signs from Public Schools

Idaho’s attorney general has issued a ruling mandating the removal of the controversial “Everyone is Welcome Here” signs from every public school in the state. The ruling comes after a legal opinion was released by Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office, declaring that such signs inadvertently sparked division and violated the state’s House Bill 41, which prohibits the display of political viewpoints in public schools.

The signs, like the one displayed by Lewis and Clark Middle School teacher Sarah Inama in her classroom, have been deemed as part of an ideological movement that originated in Twin Cities, Minnesota, following the 2016 election of Donald Trump. The Idaho Democratic Party has also been using these signs as a political statement, even selling them as part of their fundraising efforts.

Inama made headlines earlier this year when she was asked to remove her “Everyone is Welcome Here” sign featuring hands in various skin tones. While she initially complied with the district’s request, she later decided to put the sign back up over the weekend. The district administration cited that the message was not universally accepted by all, leading to their decision to ask Inama to take it down.

The Idaho Democratic Party has shown support for Inama by selling merchandise inspired by the posters. Their communications director, Avery Roberts, emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment in schools for all students, regardless of political affiliations. The party hopes that standing against discrimination will not be seen as a partisan issue, but rather as a shared commitment to inclusivity and support for all students.

The attorney general’s office also noted that Inama had been displaying the signs in her classroom since 2017, following Trump’s first term, and accused her of using it to promote her personal ideological beliefs. The opinion further stated that certain types of student artwork could also be prohibited from being displayed in schools.

Overall, the ruling to remove the “Everyone is Welcome Here” signs from public schools in Idaho raises questions about the balance between free expression and maintaining a politically neutral environment in educational settings. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact future displays of ideological messages in public schools across the state.