Hundreds Begin 3-Day March To Oppose School Closings

By aaroncynic in News on May 19, 2013 5:45PM

Via CTU

Today is day two of a three-day, 30+-mile march by community members, parents, students and activists to protest the decision to close more than 54 public schools. The march, spearheaded by the Chicago Teacher’s Union and supported by dozens of other unions, activist organizations and community members, began on the South and West sides yesterday at Jesse Owens Elementary and Lafayette Elementary, respectively. Each route covered nearly 8 miles, passing schools slated for closure, until they each rallied at different locations in the early evening.

“Why is Jesse Owens school being wiped out when their track record is great,” said Dominique Grant, a teacher at Owens, to the Sun Times. “Our school has to stay open because our welcoming school does not even have the room,” she added. Recent reports have also shown that CPS plans to spend millions upgrading welcoming schools.

Today marks the second day of the protests, which began again on the south and west sides. Speaking in front of Banneker Elementary this morning, CTU President Karen Lewis said “It's so important to get into the neighborhoods, listen to the people who live in them...this is about what our city is going to look like and who it belongs to.” Tomorrow the marches will begin again at schools in those locations and simultaneously converge downtown in the loop.

Related:
Teachers Union To File Federal Lawsuits To Stop School Closings
CPS Parents, Students Fear School Closings Will Bulldoze Their Community