HB2629, vetoed by the Governor, designates November 7 as Victims of Communism Day, a non-legal holiday. Schools must observe this day on the nearest school day if it falls on a non-school day. The State Board of Education (SBE) is tasked with creating a list of recommended resources for teaching about the history of communist regimes and establishing a process for schools to suggest additional materials. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, high school American government courses must include at least 45 minutes of instruction on the history of global communist regimes, covering figures like Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, and Fidel Castro.
The Arizona State House of Representatives passed HB2629 on February 22, 2024 by a vote of 33 to 26. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because communism is dangerous, centralizing power and leading to authoritarian rule and the suppression of individual freedoms, which our Founders vehemently opposed. Communism results in economic inefficiency and widespread poverty while stifling innovation and personal ambition. History shows that communist regimes can undermine freedom and individual liberties, and lead to oppression and suffering. This legislation counters indoctrination in our schools by highlighting the dangers of communism and the costs of resisting it, as experienced by John Birch and many others.