2PM JULY 8, 2016 Save Our Schools Rally at Lincoln Memorial

JULY 8 @2PM
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS RALLY AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL- WASHINGTON DC!

On July 30, 2011, many thousands of us gathered in Washington, DC for the historic Save Our Schools March and National Call to Action. We came from across the country to voice our grievances about the state of public education and to share our visions for the future. We stood in solidarity to denounce an unresponsive political process and its dehumanizing policies. We returned to our cities, communities, organizations and unions committed to the goal of building an equitable, democratic education system for our students, their communities, their schools and educators. We have not rested since in our collective struggle for humane public schools and policies across the nation.

            Today, we have a burgeoning coalition of grassroots groups, union organizations, and activists who will rally and march in support of education and social justice. We are marching for community-based, equitably-funded schools that are the heart of neighborhoods.

We stand and march for:

·         Full, equitable funding for all public schools

·         Safe, racially just schools and communities

·         Community leadership in public school policies

·         Professional, diverse educators for all students

·         Child-centered, culturally appropriate curriculum for all

·         No high-stakes standardized testing

The Save Our Schools Coalition for Action envisions a mass gathering of like-minded people – from all walks of life and with diverse causes – speaking and marching in solidarity once more. We envision bold actions and expressions of resistance for children and adults alike, which foster awareness and camaraderie in the movement. Join us in Washington D.C. on July 8-10^th to celebrate democracy by living it. The general schedule for the event is:

·         July 8^th: Rally & March (Lincoln Memorial)

·         July 9^th: National & International Summit with family and kid-friendly events  (at Howard University)

·         July 10^th: Coalition Congress – member organizations meet to plan next steps for the movement

This is an election year, and surely there can be no better time to show our government and our fellow citizens, “This is what democracy looks like!” We look forward to marching with you this summer in D.C.!

 

Save Our Schools Coalition Demands, Principles

A MAJOR HISTORIC EVENT: More than 2,000 Boston public school students walk out of class to protest budget cuts

More than 2,000 Boston public school students walk out of class to protest budget cuts

Students marched through downtown Boston and converged on Boston Common.

Thousands of students protest on Boston Common.

Ryan Breslin/Boston.com

By Allison Pohle @allisonpohle and Kristi Palma @kristipalma

Boston.com Staff | 03.07.16 

 

Daphne Partridge spent Monday morning debating whether to walk out of her class at Boston Teachers Union School. The blond sixth grader worried she might be suspended for abruptly standing up and leaving, but, more than that, she worried about what would happen if she didn’t walk out.

As she stood cheering and shouting on the Common with more than 2,000 other students from across the school system, Partridge knew she’d made the right choice.

“At our school we’re worried about language programs being taken away, but now that we’re here we see the ways all the other schools are affected,” she said. “It’s crazy how many kids are here. But it makes me feel like I have a voice.” 

The students marched through downtown Boston after walking out of class to protest planned budget cuts, carrying signs and chanting, “What do we want? Education!,” as shoppers and onlookers walking down Newbury Street pulled out their cell phones to record the demonstration.

Students made their way in large throngs toward Boston Common, the State House, and Faneuil Hall, on foot and by bus, despite warnings from the school district that they would be marked absent if they left class.

“Pretty much every student in my class walked out. I don’t think there’s anyone left,” said Harry Saunders, a senior at Snowden International School. “But I’m surprised how many people are here.”

Protest organizers posted a letter on Twitter prior to the walkout stating that budget cuts next year will prohibit students from learning “at full capacity” and “make it impossible to get into the college of your dreams.” 

The city’s public schools are facing the deficit due to rising expenses and a decline in state and federal aid. The exact amount of the deficit, however, has yet to be determined. The initial budget shortfall was estimated at about $50 million, though the mayor’s office has said the total figure will be lower when the school committee votes on the final budget March 23.

• 

  Over 1,000 Boston public school students staged a walkout Monday afternoon, marching downtown, through Boston Common, and outside of Faneuil Hall.

  Ryan Breslin / Boston.com

This isn’t the first public protest regarding the budget cuts. During February vacation week, several hundred parents, teachers, and students held a rally in downtown Boston. Many parents also protested outside of Mayor Marty Walsh’s “State of the City” address in January. But this was the first student-organized demonstration. 

City Councilor Tito Jackson marched with the students, and encouraged them to walk inside the State House to voice their opinions.

“I’m so encouraged by the massive turnout and voices of our young people,” he said. “They should be holding lawmakers accountable. They should demand that they have enough teachers who will encourage them to stay in their classrooms. They shouldn’t lose their JV programs, which keep some kids involved and are a lifeline for them. And they shouldn’t lose funding to charter schools.”

Jackson abruptly broke away from the rally to go address two students who were fighting on the Common. After the tussle, the crowd diminished, but several hundred students marched to Faneuil Hall, where Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker held a press conference for a “Forbes Under 30” event.

Once the students realized Baker and Walsh were no longer inside, they slowly began to walk away. Some students went back to the State House, where they testified before the Joint Committee on Education regarding funding. 

About two dozen students remained in front of Faneuil Hall, including Nathan Metz-Lerman, a junior at Boston Latin Academy.

“We have to continue fighting,” he said into a megaphone. “We’re not just gonna let our education be destroyed. Who wants to do a chant?”

 The remaining students cheered.

“They say cut back, we say fight back,” he said. “Cut back.”

“Fight back,” the crowd answered.

Then, as more students dispersed to go home to do homework, Metz-Lerman led the crowd in one last cheer.

“I believe,” he yelled, then paused. “That we. Will win.”