Parents, teachers, and students took part in rallies and “walk-ins” across the country on Wednesday, seeking to “reclaim” U.S. public schools from the grips of corporate reformers and privatization schemes.
The coordinated actions are the second national event organized by the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS), a coalition that includes the American Federation of Teachers, the Journey for Justice Alliance, and the Center for Popular Democracy, among other organizations and unions.
“As public schools are increasingly threatened by a view of education that supports privatization, zero-tolerance discipline policies, less funding, and high-stakes standardized tests, AROS is fighting back with a broad vision of American public education that prioritizes racial justice, equity and well-resourced, world-class, public community schools,” the group wrote in a call-to-action.
In February, the first national “walk-in” day attracted more than 40,000 people in 33 cities, who rallied and strategized outside school buildings before making a collective entrance.
At least 75 cities and counties were signed up to participate on Wednesday.
Students at more than 40 Boston Public Schools, for example, “walked in” on Wednesday morning—a tactic that AROS organizers describe (pdf) as “a positive action that says that these are our schools and our communities.”
According to Boston.com:
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