Parents Shouldn’t Be Silenced: Support Bernadette Guthrie

Stand with Bernadette Guthrie: Fighting for Truth and Justice

Bernadette Guthrie, a dedicated mother and community advocate in Colorado Springs, is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Academy District 20 school board member Derrick Wilburn. This legal battle stems from Bernadette’s efforts to hold Wilburn accountable for actions that have deeply impacted her child and the wider community.

In October 2023, during a student-led candidate forum at a middle school, Derrick Wilburn chose to read graphic and explicit passages from the novel Push by Sapphire in the presence of young children, including Bernadette’s then 11-year-old daughter. Understandably, Bernadette voiced her concerns about the appropriateness of such material being presented in this setting, advocating for accountability and the protection of children in public spaces. Her principled stand has resulted in a relentless and intimidating legal assault by Wilburn.

Disturbingly, the silence of Academy District 20 board president Aaron Salt has only compounded the situation. Despite the unprecedented nature of an elected board member suing a district parent, Salt has chosen to remain silent, neglecting his responsibility to foster dialogue and ensure the community feels heard and supported.

This is not the first time Derrick Wilburn has been at the center of controversy. He has a well-documented history of bullying behavior and has been the subject of defamation lawsuits himself, including those arising from his false and inflammatory statements about the tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. His pattern of using lies and intimidation to silence others highlights the importance of standing with Bernadette as she fights back against these tactics.

Why This Matters:

• Protecting Advocacy: Bernadette’s voice represents every parent who dares to speak out in defense of their children and their community.

• Stopping Intimidation: Derrick Wilburn’s history of bullying must not discourage others from holding public officials accountable.

• Defending the Truth: The public deserves leaders who act with integrity and respect for their constituents, not those who abuse their positions to suppress dissent.

The emotional and financial burden of this lawsuit is immense. Bernadette is fighting not only to protect her reputation but also to ensure that no one else in her community is silenced by such aggressive tactics. Your support will help cover her legal expenses and send a clear message that bullying and intimidation have no place in our society.

How You Can Help:

• Donate to Bernadette’s legal defense fund.

• Share this campaign to amplify her story.

• Stand with us in demanding accountability and fairness.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps Bernadette fight this unjust lawsuit and stand up for what’s right. Together, we can show that truth and justice will always prevail over intimidation.

All Bernadette wanted was for Derrick Wilburn to respect her daughter’s well-being and commit to not visiting her school in his role as a board member. Given the trauma her daughter experienced from Wilburn’s graphic statements, this was a simple and compassionate request. Yet Wilburn refused to make that commitment, demonstrating a lack of regard for the emotional safety of the children he was elected to serve. Instead, he chose to escalate the situation by filing this lawsuit, further compounding the harm to Bernadette and her family.

All funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward Bernadette’s legal defense. Defending against a defamation lawsuit brought by a public official is particularly complex and expensive, as it carries a higher standard of proof than typical defamation cases. Any remaining funds after Bernadette’s legal expenses are covered will be used in next year’s school board election to support responsible, compassionate candidates for the Academy District 20 board—leaders who will prioritize transparency, accountability, and the well-being of the entire community.

Your contribution is not just a donation; it’s a stand for justice, integrity, and the future of our schools.

Thank you for standing with Bernadette. Let’s make our voices heard.