We are working to disrupt the Koch network in all 2021! The threat of the Koch network and its impact on our climate, social and economic progress is more real than ever. In November of 2020, the same month that Charles Koch started his PR campaign for his new book, the 2019 IRS tax filings on the Koch family foundation were released. These filings showed what we’ve always known: Charles Koch has not had the  “change of heart” his book alleges. Instead, the tax filings demonstrated the ways in which Charles Koch and his broader network continue to undermine our democracy by flooding our elections with dark money, financing corrupt pro-corporate politicians, and funding disinformation on public health, the climate, and education.

In 2019, Charles Koch, alongside the Walton Family Foundation, announced goals to transform K-12 education. We know what “transformation” translates to. The Koch network’s track record demonstrates that their investments will continue to be in charter schools and the privatization of education, propagating “free market economic” models in curriculum and pedagogy, and the advocacy of education policies which harpoon educator labor and destabilize public school funding. If they have their way, thousands of young people will not receive adequate education on how to address the climate crisis, universities will continue to launder their dark money agenda, and our communities will continue to experience social and economic inequity.

With the upheaval of economic stability in 2020, major challenges to education posed by COVID-19, and the proliferation of disinformation surrounding both health and climate issues, we have assessed multiple threats which require strategic organizing attention in 2021. Charles Koch has not been shy about his intentions.

Today, we are asking students to join us as we continue to disrupt the harm caused by Charles Koch, letting him know that these PR stunts don't vindicate his actions. We are looking for students ready to build power at the local and national level to restore true academics in higher education.