As a public school teacher, I can remember many historical moments that tested our resolve as a nation. How we rose and fell from those moments is now etched into our history. Today, our democracy is once again tested, and we find ourselves at another critical moment that requires brave leadership.

Recently, we’ve watched attacks on our democracy escalate into extreme violence, with chilling consequences. Violence of any kind cannot be tolerated in a society that both values and protects free speech, political freedom, and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At a time when we need unity now more than ever, this moment is wrongfully being used to divide and silence educators and communities.

It appears that some are even trying to leverage, or worse, weaponize, this moment for political gain. Threats against educators and their families and “doxing” of educators don’t just live on social media. These threats impact real people and affect not just our communities, but also every one of our individual livelihoods. The idea that any one of us could lose our ability to provide for our families or even our lives for exercising our constitutionally protected right to free speech — all because someone disagrees with us — should alarm us all.

Educators have families who love and rely on us, communities and places of worship we’re rooted in, and our own dreams, goals, and aspirations. We’re parents, siblings, neighbors — and like every American we hold fears, beliefs, and the same constitutional rights and freedoms.

Every person deserves due process, and we cannot allow social media or AI to become the tool that defines the rules of censorship and free expression.

We must stand together and reject the bullying, hate speech, and doxing that we have seen too often online. This must not be the norm. Now is the time to put an end to the divisiveness and call for unity. Unity against violence or the celebration of violence, unity against hate, and unity for the safe and supportive communities we all deserve.

The Florida Education Association represents 123,000 educators across the state, and we know a thing or two about unity. We’re proud that our union membership is diverse, representing every section of our public-school ecosystem from early education to higher education. We are Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and everything in between.

No matter our differences, we all share common ground: we believe every student deserves a world-class, free public education, that educators and workers deserve fair pay so they can support their families, and that we are all stronger when we work together. Being in a union doesn’t mean we always agree; it means that we can put our differences aside to fight for a better future for all of us—for every one of our children—no matter your race, place, background, or political party.

These values of unity and civil discourse are the same ideals on which this nation was founded. And when that unity is threatened by division, we all feel the consequences.

That’s why we’re calling on every leader in our state to put politics aside, lead with courage and integrity, and bridge the divide between so many.

Now is the time for our state and local officials to come together with us and to lead — not from behind memos and social media posts, but from within our communities. Now is the time to call for calm and bring us together, not look for opportunities to further drive us apart. Now is time for our leaders to remember that true leadership means representing all Floridians, not just those who agree with you.

Violence is never the answer. Neither is silence nor apathy.

The answer lies in unity: Let’s come together — not as left or right, not as union or non-union, but as neighbors, parents, workers and citizens — and fight for a better future for us all.

Andrew Spar is president of the Florida Education Association.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/21/commentary-stop-the-attacks-on-unity-and-civil-discourse/