"Keep Your Glitter Sharp!": Irvine City Hall Rally, April 20

Hi everyone, my name is Noelle Carney Campbell. I am an 8th-grade US History teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District and a recognized Teacher of the Year, although some of you might know me more as the girl at the protests’ “fun corner,” blasting music with my husband, Taylor, in a rainbow cape.

In reality, I bring the joy and the glitter and the good vibes because I have to. It’s the only thing keeping me going right now. I do it because if anyone here has felt the way I have lately, completely drained and emotionally overwhelmed, you know that sometimes, joy is resistance. So I show up with glitter and music because joy is how I choose to fight back. And when asked why we are still protesting on Easter Sunday, my husband had the perfect response: Easter is about the celebration of life, so what better way to spend it than fighting for human rights and the rebirth of true democracy?

As many of you know, recently, I was one of 389 educators and counselors issued a layoff notice in the Santa Ana Unified School District. As of right now, I have survived Final Notice, and my layoff will be rescinded, which is excellent news. But ever since I’ve spoken out publicly, I’ve been targeted by my district. Retaliated against. Restricted from speaking, from posting, from even running my Gay-Straight Alliance club without interference. Retaliation, all because I told the truth: these layoffs hurt kids, they are wrong, and our community deserves better.

As I mentioned, I teach 8th-grade United States history, and in January, we studied the Alien and Sedition Acts, laws from 1798, over 200 years ago. In the political cartoon we analyzed, it states, “The Alien Acts were laws created giving the Executive the power to detain or deport non-citizens without recourse or oversight, and the Sedition Act made it

illegal to speak ill of the government.” I make it very clear to my students that these laws betray the Constitution. And these teenagers, some of whom read at a 3rd-grade level, are independently able to grasp these unjust laws without question.

So imagine my disgust, but not surprise, when Donald Trump, a man whose ego is only matched by his ignorance, said he didn’t see a problem with those laws and is now using the Alien Acts to follow through on his attack on immigrants. My students were shocked, and I never imagined I’d bring these laws up in a current-day context. What we are witnessing is a mass violation of human rights as our administration is abducting and trafficking innocent people without due process. Who’s to say my students and their families aren’t next? Who’s to say I am not next for speaking out against the President?

Trump doesn’t care about truth, education, or justice. He cares only about control. And cruelty. And history is repeating itself, because unfortunately, many scared politicians and money-hungry billionaires are aiding and abetting it. But here’s what they didn’t count on: teachers like me are here, speaking up louder than ever before. People like you are attending protests throughout the country multiple times a week. We’re still showing up, speaking up, and attempting to build joy in our resistance. And I don’t know about you, but I am not losing my steam. We will keep showing up!

Teachers in solidarity!

For me, this is because I love my students and my community, and especially my beautiful LGBTQ+ peers and students, who need strong allies as they are under attack from this administration and its cult of Christian Nationalists. Moreover, I know that having a safe and honest education is the main thing that breaks cycles of poverty, violence, and oppression.

If we want to support and uplift the community, we have to start with education. That means funding it appropriately. That means respecting and appreciating educators, not punishing them or making their already difficult jobs more restrictive and unmanageable. And that means never letting a dumb fascist cabinet decide what we can and can’t learn, or who will be erased.

Follow me on your socials @missnoellealways. I am constantly posting about events, political advocacy issues, and updates regarding things happening in our County, and you can always message me to learn more or ask questions!

If you need something to jam to and you’ve heard our “Got to Go” protest anthem at past rallies, you can now download it on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music! Blast it, sing aloud, pass it on, and keep fighting. Because “G-O-T-T-O-G-O, Trump and Musk have Got to Go!”

So, to everyone listening: Keep your glitter sharp. Keep your books open. Keep your voice loud. And don’t let anyone, especially a twice-impeached reality show phony, a disgusting vile human, posing as our president stop or scare you.

Because no policy, no president, and no concentration camp disguised as a prison, can silence an educated community that refuses to be erased or go backwards. Knowledge is power. The truth is in education. And the truth is (singing), “We’re not gonna take it…No, We ain’t gonna take it… We’re not gonna take it anymore!”

Noelle Carney Campbell is a Santa Ana Unified 8th Grade U.S History teacher and local political activist. She fights for the safety of education across America and is a proud and vigilant ally of the LGBTQ+ Community. For more ways to get involved or help, follow @missnoellealways.