SB131 was introduced on Monday, January 6, by notorious Republican Dennis Kruse. The bill would force each Indiana public school to prominently display an “In God We Trust” sign in every classroom and library in the state. The government activism wing of NIA, Northern Indiana Atheists Civil and Political Rights Initiative, was able to mobilize within hours of learning the bill was being rushed through committee, and we were ready to challenge it.

NIA President Troy Moss had this to say about the signs: “The public schools in other states that display these “In God We Trust” signs are proud of their bully prevention techniques and declare their schools to be ‘no bully zones’; meanwhile, they bully nonreligious and non-Christian students on a daily basis with these signs. As soon as non-Christian students step foot in a school littered with these religious signs, they are reminded that they are not part of the we mentioned in the motto. Non-Christian families and students do not need to be marginalized any more than they already are. Our public schools should be focusing on civility, inclusion, and equality, not implementing state-mandated bullying.”

It’s important to note that the God referenced on these posters isn’t just a “ceremonial God”—SB131 is part of the Christian Nationalists’ coordinated attack on LGBTQ rights, access to reproductive health care, and religious equality across the nation. It’s obvious which God is being promoted when we know who is trying to sneak these bills through—and why (https://www.blitzwatch.org).