Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon was one of the 10 Representatives who signed the letter, claiming the program is “indoctrination” to students.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Representatives across the state of Florida signed a letter on Wednesday opposing the passing of the Phoenix Declaration for the education system.

The Phoenix Declaration, created by the conservative-led organization The Heritage Program, sets a goal of giving children “access to a high-quality, content-rich education that fosters the pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful, so that they may achieve their full, God-given potential.”

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the program was unanimously voted into law by the Florida Board of Education. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas says that “by formally adopting this Declaration, we are reaffirming our commitment to an education system that pursues truth and virtue, empowers parents, and always prioritizes our students.”

The following 10 representatives came together to express their dissent for the Phoenix Declaration:

  • Ashley Gantt (D-Miami)
  • Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa)
  • Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville)
  • Daryl Campbell (D-Fort Lauderdale)
  • Yvonne Hinson (D-Gainesville)
  • Mitch Rosenwald (D-Oakland Park
  • Felicia Robinson (D-Miami Gardens)
  • Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando)
  • Michael Gottlieb (D-Davie)
  • Michelle Rayner (D-St. Petersburg)

Within the letter, representatives call for the FDOE to “rescind” the vote and cancel all plans of incorporating the program into schools.

“This is blatant indoctrination of Republican politics in our public school systems. I am not only outraged that this was unanimously passed by the board, but it is evident that they have abdicated their responsibilities to serve children and are now singularly focused on destroying democracy and intellectual freedom,” says Representative Gantt. “The Board of Education is wholly compromised and this is proof that racist, radical right-wing agendas being pushed into our schools is the goal. Our parents and children deserve an opportunity to have public servants who celebrate the rich diversity of Floridians instead of cowardly cronies who are attempting to strangle it with racist ideologies steeped in mediocrity and ignorance. Enough is enough.”

First Coast News has reached out to the FDOE for comment regarding the letter. At the time of publishing, we have yet to hear back.

The full letter can be found below: