Change.org - Rename school district

When students discovered their school district was named after a Ku Klux Klan leader, they were outraged. They don’t want their schools honoring KKK leaders. So the students took action, rallying outside of district offices demanding a name change. Their school board has now formed a committee to discuss the renaming. But the fight isn’t over. Over 45,000 people have joined their campaign. Sign now to help make sure the board changes the name. Rename USD 345 45,393 have signed Rename Seaman Schools’s petition. Let’s get to 50,000!

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On October 16, 2020, two student journalists published a story revealing that Fred Seaman, the founder of the Seaman School district, was the leader of the Topeka Ku Klux Klan in the mid 1920’s. The school district was unanimously voted to be named after him by the staff and student body when the high school first opened. For decades, a rumor of his involvement in the KKK remained within the district, but it was not proven fact by any particular means and therefore continued to make students of color feel unwelcome throughout the district.  USD 345 named the district after Fred Seaman to honor the work he did starting the district, but that work is overshadowed by his leadership in the Klan. Our movement is working to change the name of the unified school district 345 to an all-inclusive, welcoming name that will represent the district in high honor and welcome students of all races and backgrounds. The USD 345 school board declared that they would only consider renaming the district if a grassroots movement from the community called for action. This petition will show the district board that we do not want to be affiliated with the KKK in any way. Please, join our movement and take a stand for justice by signing and sharing this petition.

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