Chicago students take protest against Chicago schools' ‘deficit’, privatization, and proposed cuts to City Hall and Mayor's Office on March 4, 2010
Students from Little Village High School and Julian High School protest outside Chicago's City Hall on March 4, 2010, following the announcement by Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman that a budget "deficit" will require major cuts in the schools. Substance photo by Kristine Mayle.Students from Julian High School and Little Village High School took their protests against budget cuts to City Hall on March 4, 2010, marching outside the building and then going inside to request a meeting with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley outside the mayor’s fifth floor office. The protest took place after school. The students highlighted questions about the Chicago Board of Education's budget priorities and how the school system was furthering inequality by making it more and more difficult for poor and working class families to get a public education equal to their more affluent peers.
After picketing outside the building, the students went up to the 5th floor to talk to Daley. He wasn't there but a press secretary spoke with the students for a good 20 minutes or so. He heard their arguments about the budget, how resources should be shared equally in all schools, how cutting teachers will affect students, and how CPS is cutting programs that will lead to an increase in violence. The press secretary said that both he and the mayor are very concerned about the cuts because they care about education.
After protesting outside City Hall, the students went to the corridor on the fifth floor inside. The Fifth Floor is Mayor Daley's office. Although Daley's representatives said the mayor was not in, they listened to the students for 20 minutes and then promised a follow up meeting. Substance photo by Kristine Mayle.He gave his contact info to a student from SoJo (Social Justice High School at Little Village) and he said should call him to set up a meeting.
Comments:
By: Catharine smith
teacher
Thank you! You are the future we need...
By: Margaret Wilson
retired teacher/parent
I want to congratulate the students for having the courage to stand up for what they believe is right. Their teachers and parents need to be commended too for helping the students to learn to advocate for themselves. You are a future that we can be proud of.
By: MacDuff's Ghost
Any additional facts on City Hall protest?
How many high schools are in Chicago? How many students and teachers participated in the City Hall protest?