Martin Center Staff Members Sign the Philadelphia Statement

Raleigh, NC—To reaffirm the American values of free speech and civil discourse, Jenna A. Robinson, George Leef, Jay Schalin, Shannon Watkins, and Sumantra Maitra of The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal have signed the Philadelphia Statement, a project directed by a diverse array of thinkers and scholars and aimed at pushing back against the “cancel culture” that demonizes and de-persons people for expressing their views.

Jenna A. Robinson, president of the Martin Center, said, “Free expression is essential to a healthy democracy and human flourishing. We must stand up for freedom and civil discourse.”

The creators of the project make it clear that the Philadelphia Statement is only a starting point: “Its purpose is to ignite a lasting movement marked by a commitment to free speech, respect for those with different views, and peaceful coexistence despite differences.”

Over 15,000 individuals have signed the Philadelphia Statement to date. Signatories include Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Dr. James Lindsay, Dr. Peter Bogosshian, Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers, Dr. Wilfred McClay, and Robert Shibley (The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education executive director and Martin Center board member).