Oct 26, 2008
Educators Condemn New Prop 8 Ad
Reveal Opt Out Connection of Key 8 Architect, Call Portrayal of California Superintendent of Schools "Disgraceful and Outrageous"
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – 10/25/2008 – Today a leading education legislator and teachers attacked the latest deceptive TV ad by the Prop 8 campaign which focuses on a school field trip and continues a pattern of lying about their measure. In fact, a chief architect of their movement, Brad Dacus, promotes California's broad opt out law, which allows parents to pull their child from any school activity that violates their religious or moral beliefs.
For Immediate Release
October 25, 2008
Contact: Ali Bay
Phone: 916.284.9187
Educators Condemn New Prop 8 Ad
Reveal Opt Out Connection of Key 8 Architect, Call Portrayal of California Superintendent of Schools “Disgraceful and Outrageous”
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – 10/25/2008 – Today a leading education legislator and teachers attacked the latest deceptive TV ad by the Prop 8 campaign which focuses on a school field trip and continues a pattern of lying about their measure. In fact, a chief architect of their movement, Brad Dacus, promotes California’s broad opt out law, which allows parents to pull their child from any school activity that violates their religious or moral beliefs.
“Prop 8 is not about field trips, added Jim Groth, a sixth grade teacher in San Diego.
“It’s about taking away the fundamental rights of people and treating them differently under the law.”
The educators also took issue with the misleading portrayal of California’s opt out law. In fact, on the Web site, pacificjustice.org, where Brad Dacus is President, there are the following instructions:
“What is an ‘opt out form’ and how can I obtain one?”
“An opt out form is a parent’s written request to their child’s school principal and teachers, to ensure that their children are opted out of curriculum that violates the religious beliefs or convictions of the child’s parents. To obtain an opt out form, click here to fill out the appropriate form .”(Source: Pacific Justice Institute Web site: www.pacificjustice.org/aboutus/QA)
(Click here to view sample output from the opt-out form.)
“Educators know the opt out law works. In fact, Prop 8 proponents promote it on Web sites and drive parents to use it,” said Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. “This campaign of distortion and name calling has to stop. What I find particularly objectionable is the continued misuse of children in weaving this fabrication.”
Dacus, the President of Pacific Justice Institute, is legal counsel to protectmarriage.com. He has been unequivocal about the right of parents to opt-out their children in school. In fact, here is what Dacus, as president of PJI, said to Insight on the News, in March of 2001:
“No state statute forbids parents from opting their children out of a class where the teacher’s comments violate the convictions and trust of the parent.”
“Prop 8 has no affect on schools or field trips,” said Lynette Henley, an elementary school teacher in Vallejo, Calif. “Each district or local school board with input from parents sets the field trip policy for its school district. And all parents decide if they want their child to go on the field trip.”
Virtually every major newspaper in California has editorialized against Prop 8, stating that “the state constitution shouldn’t be used to turn some people into second-class citizens. Vote “no” on Proposition 8.” (Fresno Bee) For a complete list of NO on 8 endorsements, visit www.noonprop8.com.
