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Advocates are planning "Demand Safe Schools" actions for September 2, 2020. (Image: Action Network)
'Fund Our Future': Nationwide Day of Action to Demand Safe Schools Planned for September 2
Despite the need for crucial resources to keep students, teachers, and families safe during the pandemic, schools have not been given "one additional federal dollar" to open safely.
Sep 01, 2020
Students, parents, teachers, school staff, and other community members in dozens of cities across the United States will mobilize Wednesday to demand President Donald Trump, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and Republican senators provide schools with the resources necessary to "protect the students, educators, and their families from Covid-19; to save jobs; and to meet the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all our kids."
The nationwide day of action is supported by a coalition of social justice organizations and labor groups, including the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the country's two largest unions for educators and support professionals.
While lamenting all of the things that teachers miss about in-person education, NEA president Lily Eskelsen Garcia noted in August that schools have not been given "one additional federal dollar to open schools safely."
Both the NEA and the AFT, along with numerous other groups, encouraged people to join Wednesday's #DemandSafeSchools demonstrations.
Given that millions of Americans are currently "struggling to figure out how to go back to school safely and meet the needs of all students" while Senate Republicans refuse to support the HEROES Act passed by House Democrats in May, organizers are urging people to send Trump and "his enablers" a message by participating in an event on Wednesday.
The campaign website lists multiple ways for people to get involved:
- Grab a sign and take a photo. Share it using the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Get online and voice your concerns;
- Hold your own homegrown demonstration;
- Join a car parade;
- Start a Twitter storm; use the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Call your legislators;
- Plan a telephone townhall meeting; and
- Write an email, a letter to the editor or a Facebook post.
September 2 marks almost two months since both AFT and NEA called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to consolidate Republican support for the HEROES Act, which includes over $900 billion for state and local governments that can be used to support public education as well as $90 billion in additional funding to prevent the loss of teaching and school support jobs.
A map of events can be found here.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
american federation of teachersbetsy devoschildrencoronaviruseducationmitch mcconnellnational education associationpandemic
Students, parents, teachers, school staff, and other community members in dozens of cities across the United States will mobilize Wednesday to demand President Donald Trump, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and Republican senators provide schools with the resources necessary to "protect the students, educators, and their families from Covid-19; to save jobs; and to meet the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all our kids."
The nationwide day of action is supported by a coalition of social justice organizations and labor groups, including the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the country's two largest unions for educators and support professionals.
While lamenting all of the things that teachers miss about in-person education, NEA president Lily Eskelsen Garcia noted in August that schools have not been given "one additional federal dollar to open schools safely."
Both the NEA and the AFT, along with numerous other groups, encouraged people to join Wednesday's #DemandSafeSchools demonstrations.
Given that millions of Americans are currently "struggling to figure out how to go back to school safely and meet the needs of all students" while Senate Republicans refuse to support the HEROES Act passed by House Democrats in May, organizers are urging people to send Trump and "his enablers" a message by participating in an event on Wednesday.
The campaign website lists multiple ways for people to get involved:
- Grab a sign and take a photo. Share it using the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Get online and voice your concerns;
- Hold your own homegrown demonstration;
- Join a car parade;
- Start a Twitter storm; use the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Call your legislators;
- Plan a telephone townhall meeting; and
- Write an email, a letter to the editor or a Facebook post.
September 2 marks almost two months since both AFT and NEA called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to consolidate Republican support for the HEROES Act, which includes over $900 billion for state and local governments that can be used to support public education as well as $90 billion in additional funding to prevent the loss of teaching and school support jobs.
A map of events can be found here.
Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
Students, parents, teachers, school staff, and other community members in dozens of cities across the United States will mobilize Wednesday to demand President Donald Trump, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and Republican senators provide schools with the resources necessary to "protect the students, educators, and their families from Covid-19; to save jobs; and to meet the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all our kids."
The nationwide day of action is supported by a coalition of social justice organizations and labor groups, including the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the country's two largest unions for educators and support professionals.
While lamenting all of the things that teachers miss about in-person education, NEA president Lily Eskelsen Garcia noted in August that schools have not been given "one additional federal dollar to open schools safely."
Both the NEA and the AFT, along with numerous other groups, encouraged people to join Wednesday's #DemandSafeSchools demonstrations.
Given that millions of Americans are currently "struggling to figure out how to go back to school safely and meet the needs of all students" while Senate Republicans refuse to support the HEROES Act passed by House Democrats in May, organizers are urging people to send Trump and "his enablers" a message by participating in an event on Wednesday.
The campaign website lists multiple ways for people to get involved:
- Grab a sign and take a photo. Share it using the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Get online and voice your concerns;
- Hold your own homegrown demonstration;
- Join a car parade;
- Start a Twitter storm; use the hashtag #DemandSafeSchools;
- Call your legislators;
- Plan a telephone townhall meeting; and
- Write an email, a letter to the editor or a Facebook post.
September 2 marks almost two months since both AFT and NEA called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to consolidate Republican support for the HEROES Act, which includes over $900 billion for state and local governments that can be used to support public education as well as $90 billion in additional funding to prevent the loss of teaching and school support jobs.
A map of events can be found here.
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