Support for CTU Workshop and Board Speak Out

[Andy Manos]

Mayor Emanuel has signaled that he wants to reignite the school closing effort, but this time at a much higher level. A leaked memo from the Chicago Public Schools reveals that Rahm's new team would like to close nearly 140 schools in the next two years. Currently the Chicago Board of Education is dominated by 1 percenters, including billionaire Penny Pritzker and former Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Trade, and current president of the Board of Education, David Vitale. In recent years, parents at many schools have led vigorous efforts to fight the closings and been able to stave off the attacks through militancy, partnerships and resilience. They deserve our support!


We propose that Occupy Chicago join with the Chicago Teachers Union and more than 18 community organizations and public sector unions to endorse as well as promote our December 3rd forum to organize against school closings, join us in a camp out in front of the Board of Education on December 13th and come together at a speak-out at the Board of Education on December 14th where we will challenge the Board to stop it's undemocratic attack on our schools. We will argue that city leaders must support not dismantle the schools we depend on.