Peter Walks for Democracy

Over my ten years in municipal and school government, higher education, and non-profit leadership, I have witnessed children and families advocate for each other and our community. As I share in an op-ed piece today at StateCollege.com, they are “wise and trustworthy. We should listen.

They have urged the municipal board in Ferguson township that I chaired to provide accessible paths for people in wheelchairs. Through volunteering and advocacy, they vigorously supported our expanded school and school-distributed meal programs. Facing the climate crisis, they have joined the chorus of young leaders like Greta Thunberg or Xiye Baustida to support action to mitigate and adapt to the problem. Driven by curiosity, they are taking on challenges at Penn State to optimize wind turbine performance and increase helicopter safety. Most importantly, they show up for each other. They want us to feed, teach and protect children no matter their ability, their gender identity, their parents’ nation of origin, their faith or non-faith, the color of their skin or what environment—physical or virtual—they are learning in. They know that the educated mind is a connected mind and have vigorously defended the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the freedom to read.

They stand in stark contrast to the Trump regime. By dismantling the Department of Education, eliminating the Local Food for Schools program, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes for Health, and the National Science Foundation, Trump is attacking the health, security and dignity of the American family.

Our kids and families are fueled by love and the knowledge that together we create the mental and spiritual condition of our community. I’m listening to them.