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Critical Mass Rides To Oppose School Closures

By aaroncynic in News on Apr 27, 2013 6:00PM

Yesterday, Critical Mass riders dedicated their monthly jaunt to highlighting the opposition to public school closures in the city. Hundreds of cyclists donned red in support of Chicago public school students, teachers and families affected by the closure of more than 54 schools, the largest in history. Some taped signs reading “Save Our Schools” and “Save CPS” to their bicycles. As the ride began, heading south on Clark Street, another group fighting school closings unfurled a large banner in support on the EL platform overhead which read “STOP CPS CLOSINGS #OCCUPYCPS.”

“I came today because when I told my students Critical Mass was riding for them, they were thrilled,” said Gabriel Solis, a teacher’s assistant at Peabody Elementary. “I look forward to raising awareness by riding through neighborhoods affected by school closings,” Brian Stirgus, a senior at Paul Robsen High School said earlier in a press release.

The 13 mile ride went from the loop south to Promotory Point in Hyde Park, passing by several schools targeted for closure including Dyett High School and Williams Elementary.