Action Now with Chicago teachers at huge downtown rally on Monday!
View of Monday’s rally from a helicopter
On the morning of September 10, 2012, the first day of the Chicago teacher’s strike, Action Now President Michelle Young spoke at a press conference held by Grassroots Collaborative outside of CPS Headquarters to voice community support for striking Chicago public school teachers. Later in the day, Action Now members joined thousands of others in a massive rally to support Chicago teachers that were striking for a fair contract and better schools!
Below is the text of Michelle Young’s speech:
Photo of Michelle Young speaking outside of CPS Headquarters in support of striking teachers!
“Good morning, my name is Michelle Young and I am the President of Action Now, Vice President of the LSC at May Elementary and a proud parent of a student in Chicago Public Schools. I stand in solidarity with the Chicago Teachers Union because I understand that they are fighting for my children, plain and simple. Yes, the strike may be disruptive, but we have to interrupt this unfair system in order to fight for justice and the schools our children deserve.
The truth is, CPS’s policies disrupt the education process more than anything else! On Mayor Emanuel’s watch CPS has starved schools for resources, leaving 160 without libraries, and many schools with large class sizes, no air-conditioning and no wrap-around services. How can our children learn under those conditions?! What kind of world-class city allows this to happen?! The Board says it can’t afford to give teachers a raise or to give our schools the resources they need. That is a bold faced lie, because they seemed to be able to find $25 million to spend on a “strike contingency plan” and $70 million on charter schools. It is clear to me that MY child is not high on their priority list.
Enough with the disrespect! The Chicago Board of Education needs to stop ignoring the voices of parents, students and teachers! I fully support the Chicago Teacher’s Union and stand with them as they stand up for what is right. I’ll see you on the picket lines!”
Click here to see videos of Michelle Young’s speech on FOX News and the Associated Press!
More good articles on the Chicago teacher’s strike:
MSNBC, “We’re going to fight for what’s right for the kids’: Chicago teachers on why they’re striking”
Truth-Out, “Strike Is the Best Lesson Chicago Teachers Union Could Have Planned”
Chicago Reader, “President Obama: please save our schools from Mayor Rahm”
In These Times, “Chicago Teachers Strike for Fair Contract (But Really for Better Schools)”
