FFRF Action Fund is proud to announce that the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers (OKC-AFT) has become an express endorsement partner.
The partnership enables candidates endorsed by OKC-AFT to apply for the FFRF Action Fund endorsement through an expedited process, since OKC-AFT and FFRF AF share common values and have a similar viability threshold candidates must meet. This collaboration strengthens the shared commitment to uphold public education, which is vital to the separation of state and church.
“Public schools are where every child in Oklahoma City should feel welcome and supported,” says Torie Luster Pennington, president of Oklahoma City AFT. “Partnering with the FFRF Action Fund shows our shared commitment to keeping classrooms focused on learning — not on politicians’ religious agendas. Our teachers know that when schools put education first and leave religious extremism out, our students thrive and our communities are stronger.”
Annie Laurie Gaylor, president of the FFRF Action Fund, underscores the significance of this alliance: “We’re proud to stand with Oklahoma City’s educators who are on the front lines defending secular public schools. When religion is kept out of school policy, every student has an equal chance to learn and succeed. The separation of religion from public schools is essential to protecting strong, welcoming public schools and the constitutional rights of all families.”
Through this partnership, candidates who carry the endorsements of both OKC-AFT and the FFRF Action Fund will stand out as leaders ready to defend public education and the First Amendment. By connecting this work across numerous Oklahoma communities, the two groups are laying the groundwork for public officials who will champion secular schools across the state and beyond.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues. It acts as the advocacy arm of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.