Vision

Television producer Norman Lear was moved to create People For the American Way at a time when core American values were being undermined by the emerging religious-right political movement. Its leaders weaponized media platforms with claims that the only “real” Americans were people who shared their religious beliefs and political worldview. Norman, a Jewish American and World War II vet, knew how wrong they were. He recruited people of many faiths and political backgrounds, including the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, to join him in saying, “that’s not the American Way.”

Goals

1. 1.PFAW protects freedom to learn by resisting censorship, challenging restricting the teaching of accurate history and supporting officials politically attacked for advocating for truth in teaching.
2. 2.PFAW promotes safer communities and a fair justice system by running campaigns to get officials to transform public safety and supporting confirmation of fair-minded judges to court vacancies.
3. 3.Through its civic engagement work, People For the American Way is defending democracy from attempted coups, voter suppression, and election subversion.