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FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS: Josh Shapiro’s Philly speech highlights what that really means

FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS: Josh Shapiro’s Philly speech highlights what that really means

FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS: Josh Shapiro's Philly speech highlights what that really means

Pennsylvania Gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro (D) says it’s hypocritical of his opponent — and Republicans as a whole — to keep campaigning on “freedom” while they fight to take away the basic freedoms on which Americans rely.

As the last hours count down to election day, candidates in close races are making their last calls to voters, urging them to get to the polls, and reminding them what’s at stake. Shapiro, currently the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, warned voters Saturday night that freedom is on the line, not just in his race, but in partisan elections at every level.

Shapiro reminded crowds that while his opponent, Republican Doug Mastriano, “loves to talk a big game about freedom,” the right has its own definition of that word, and it doesn’t fit with most Americans’ views or needs. In fact, he warns, they’re fighting to take away reproductive rights, the right to join a union, free choice to marry another consenting adult, and even the right to access reading material.

He also hit back at Republicans’ attacks on education, acknowledging flaws in the public education system, and vowing to fix problems, instead of attacking the system and the people who work hard to keep it together for students. Among other promises, Shapiro said his plan involves fewer standardized tests, and more access to vocational classes, as well as mental health professionals in the school system.

From Shapiro’s speech:

“It’s not freedom to tell women what they are allowed to do with their bodies. That is not freedom. It is not freedom to tell children what books they are allowed to read. It is not freedom when he gets to decide who you are allwoed to marry…It is not freedom to say you can work a 40-hour workweek but not be a member of a union…it sure is not freedom to say you can go vote but he gets to pick the winner.”

That last is a reference to Mastriano’s connections to Donald Trump as he tried to alter the outcome of the 2020 election, and his prayer on a Zoom call with right-wing religious leaders, calling for MAGA to “seize the power” in the election that their candidate had lost.

You can view Shapiro’s full rally at CSPAN, here.

Steph Bazzle covers politics and theocracy, always aiming for a world free from extremism and authoritarianism. Follow Steph on Twitter @imjustasteph.

Stephanie Bazzle
Steph Bazzle is a news writer who covers politics and theocracy, always aiming for a world free from extremism and authoritarianism. Follow Steph on Twitter @imjustasteph. Sign up for all of her stories to be delivered to your inbox here:

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