SALEM — Teachers, students, parents and members of the community took part in the fifth annual Teach Truth Day of Action Saturday at Salem’s Waterworth Memorial Park.

About 30 participants stood against legislative efforts to censor history and restrict learning in K-12 classrooms, advocating for an honest and inclusive education. As part of the Day of Action, the Teach Truth Walk featured a two-mile walk highlighting historical landmarks in the Salem community.

The event started at the pavilion, looking at artwork, poetry and projects done by local students during Freedom School week, which was hosted by the Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past. Most of the events were at the Tyler History Center in downtown Youngstown.

From the pavilion, participants took a short walk to Edwin Coppock’s gravesite. Coppock, an abolitionist and participant in John Brown’s anti-slavery raid of 1859, was born in Columbiana County near Salem.

Although there were things to learn during the event, the focus of the Teach Truth Day of Action was on what is being taught in local classrooms.

Heather Smith, a Youngstown teacher and tour guide for the day, expressed the importance of learning more about the area while keeping the spotlight on an honest retelling of history.

“Salem has a radical history when it comes to the Underground Railroad, and many celebrate our local people for their role in the success of the Underground Railroad,” Smith said.

“We should keep in mind that these local heroes were also breaking the federal law. With bills like Senate Bill 1, it could prevent teachers from teaching an accurate account of our history,” Smith added.

Senate Bill 1 has been a topic of discussion for teachers in the area. A few local professors had been working to collect 250,000 signatures across the state of Ohio for the repeal of the bill to go on the November ballot, but Smith let attendees know during the event that they had fallen short of their goal.

“I hope people walk away thinking about what stories we tell and what stories seem hidden. I hope they want to dig in and learn more,” Smith said about the Saturday walk.

The event is part of a National Day of Action led by the Zinn Education Project in partnership with the National Education Association.

“Salem was one of three major centers of abolitionism in Ohio,” said Keith Mann, a volunteer at the Salem Historical Society.

“And it is a site that probably nine out of 10 people on the street wouldn’t know,” Mann added, stating the reason he was at Saturday’s event was to help educate attendees on the importance of local history.

Across the country, Teach Truth Walks have taken place to raise awareness about the dangers of censorship and legislation that restrict teaching on topics like racism, sexism, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights and community history.

Salem’s Teach Truth Walk concluded at the town center’s Abraham Lincoln statue, where local pop shop Kast Iron Soda Works provided refreshments for the walkers.

Penny Wells, executive director of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past and 2023 Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame inductee, attended and helped with the guided tour.

“I just think it is important for all Americans, no matter what your background is, what your religion is, what your race is, what your nationality is, for all Americans to know about our history,” Wells said.

The Freedom School students learned about Emmett Till, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Bloody Sunday and the principles of nonviolence.