YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Approximately 30 people gathered on Belmont Avenue on Saturday for a “Teach the Truth” rally.
The Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past held a rally on Saturday in response to House bill 322, a bill that focuses on how racism is taught in schools.
There were different speakers and their main purpose was to teach the truth.
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“My group is out here today because we believe the truth needs to be told. The truth of all colored people, ”said Penny Wells, the group’s executive director.
The event began with student guides giving history lessons and stories from the past.
Miah Pierce, a recent graduate of Youngstown Rayen Early College, was one of the students speaking at the rally. She believes it is important for students everywhere to learn black history.
“We’re trying to get people across the meaning of black history and the importance of learning, especially black students, to know their story,” Pierce said.
Recently, First News reached out to all of the sponsors and co-sponsors of House Bill 322, and Miami Township representative Jean Schmidt said in a statement:
“The claim by some that this bill is somehow discriminatory is blatantly wrong. I support this legislation and stand by the current language of the draft law. “
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Wells believes this bill could seek to deny educators the ability to teach students specific moments in history.
“Anything that tries to deny us what really happened in this country is wrong. We have to be very open and clear about who we are and move more forward, ”said Wells.
House Bill 322 has been submitted to the Ohio House and has not yet been voted on.
