March 26 'Rally for Educational Justice' features upcoming CTU contract fight and speakers from others cities...
It was a little chilly, but several hundred people were in attendance at the Rally for Education Justice at the Thomprson Building on March 26, 2015. The crowd estimate was according to Jackson Potter, CTU Staff Coordinator.
Some of the people at the Rally for Justice at Chicago's Thompson Center on March 26, 2015. Substance photo by David Vance.Jitu Brown of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) was the moderator. Brown stated that we were gathered together to make our demands that we want an elected school board, 50 sustainable community schools, and that Dyett High remain open. Brown's slogan was, "What do we want? Elected School Board
"When do we want it? Now!
"If we don't get it! Shut it down!"
Several people were there from other cities to talk about their experiences. These cities were Philadelphia, Detroit, Newark (where students boycotted school for two days) and Washington D.C. It was interesting how much all the cities had in common -- such as closing schools, sending children to new schools (sometimes worse schools) and pushing children out of their neighborhoods.
Tony Johnson of Cook College Teachers Union (AFT Local 1600; the Chicago Teachers Union is Local 1) spoke.
Johnson stated that the city colleges are in the same situation as the public schools, with an appointed school board appointed by the mayor.
The bargaining committee for the CTU contract was also there stating that they want clean and safer schools that are fully funded.
We all walked to City Hall. There, we listened to CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey as he described the long journey that we are on and how it is not over yet. Sharkey stated that it was time for the Board to stop "experimenting on children."
Our schools should not be pipe lines to prison but should offer music art and the beautiful things of life, he continued. Our schools needed to be fully funded.
He added that people who live outside Chicago and come into the city to trade and should be asked to pay a tax on the millions of dollars they make in our city. We must all work together.
By: david vance
Jesse Sharkey speech at Education Justice rally
Hello Substance readers,
I noticed the Jesse Sharkey speech from March 26, was not posted on the CTU web site. The excellent speech from Monique Redeaux-Smith was posted on the CTU site.
click here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IvGIN7QR5q0
So. Progress Illinois reporter Ellyn Fortino wrote a report about the �Education Justice� rally. It contains the speech from Jesse Sharkey. I think his speech was very sobering in his presentation and tone. Jesse's description of the contract struggle ahead is important for the union membership and the network of support organizations around the CTU
CTU Unveils New Contract Demands,
Rallies With Allies For 'Education Justice' (video) http://www.progressillinois.com/posts/content/2015/03/26/ctu-unveils-new-contract-demands-rallies-allies-education-justice-video
The Chicago Teachers Union is in contract talks with the Board of Ed and released its final set of demands Thursday. The union held a large rally Thursday evening, calling for "education justice" in Chicago -- a running theme among the final 10 contract requests released by the group of educators. (go to web site)