Challenges Marilyn Stewart version of CTU reality, February 10 protest plans
Here are my comments from yesterday's House meeting on the motion for a 2/10 rally, FYI:
While I will vote 'yes' on this motion, I have to say that the motion is as much of a charade as the Board hearings on school closings.
You (the CTU "leadership") have spent more time fighting CTU members, including two of your own officers, than you have fighting the Board of Education to prevent school closures.
You have spent millions of members' dues dollars without authorization from this House, so asking for money for a few buses or a rally is as much of a sham as the hearings are.
[Note: emails had already been sent to CTU members prior to the House meeting announcing the rally as a fact, further exposing the pretense of asking the delegates for their approval].
Your six years of 'collaboration' with the Board on merit pay, teacher evaluation, even Fresh Start, have gotten members nowhere.
For the first time in decades, the once strong, powerful and proud CTU has less than 30,000 members due to Renaissance 2010. You can protest and rally all you want now, but the fact is that this motion is after the fact, the Board's decisions are basically a done deal, a fait accompli. For five years you have squandered opportunity after opportunity to prevent the dismantling of our neighborhood schools and the travesty inflicted on dedicated displaced teachers and staff.
[Note: at this point Ms. Stewart ruled my comments out of order and ordered the sergeant at arms to remove my microphone.]
It's time for the charade to end.
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By: John Whitfield
Stop school closings!
Nonetheless, we expect to see PACT supporters out on Wednesday, as well as the UPC caucus, CSDU, Sea Caucus, and of course CORE will be there.
One suggestion: "to up the antie", and prove that this is not a charade. Lets have a few of us get arrested. Maybe then the Trib. will cover these protests. Like one or two from each caucus. You know those of you that don't have to go to school on Thurs.
Like Lou P., Gale K., Ted D., maybe even Earl S. or George S. would consider this.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO JAIL FOR JUSTICE?
Was it Cesar Chavez? Maybe it was dorthy Day?
Some will say Dr. King or Ghandhi set them on their way.
No matter who your mentors are, it's pretty plain to see,
If you've been to jail for justice, you're in good company.
Have you been to jail for justice? I want to shake your hand.
"Cause sitting in and lyin' down are ways to take a stand.
Have you sung a song for freedom? Or marched the picket line?
Have you been to jail for justice? Then your a friend of mine.
You law-abiding citizens, come listen to this song.
'Cause laws were made by people, and people can be wrong.
Once unions were against the law, but slavery wasw fine.
Women were denied to vote and children worked the mine.
The more you study history, the less you can deny it;
A rotten law stays on the books'til folks with guts defy it. (chorus)
The law's supposed to serve us and so are the police.
And when the system fails, it's up to us to speak our peace.
We must be forever vigilant for justice to prevail,
So, get courage from your convictions, let them haul you off to jail. (chorus)