Colleagues,
Newark is calling on all outraged public school employees and their representatives, local and statewide supporters of public education to mount a candlelight vigil on the steps of Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Monday, October 19th at 5 p.m. to protest another charter school opening at the Central Planning Board meeting.
Our overcrowded classrooms have students sharing desks--and still NPS wants another charter school. We've had two rounds of cuts to staff this year--and still NPS wants another charter school. Perfectly good schools like Dayton Street sit vacant--and still NPS wants another charter school. Little or no art program--and still NPS wants another charter school. Shop, Home Ec, Business courses--gone--and still NPS wants another charter school. Playgrounds overtaken by weeds & broken glass--and still NPS wants another charter school. No more marching bands--and still NPS wants another charter school...and on and on...
For every tax dollar disappeared at the expense of reform for profit--light a candle. For every full time aide, security or cafeteria worker now unemployed--light a candle; and light one for their children this Christmas. For every teacher forced out of their job to another district--light a candle. For every student separated from his lifelong classmates by OneNewark--light a candle. For every child whose heart was set on learning a musical instrument--light a candle.
Let this not come easy for these corporate parasites. On Monday, October 19 we must set the Newark twilight afire with our outrage!
In solidarity,
John M Abeigon
President/ Director of Organization
Newark Teachers Union
Local 481, A.F.T., AFL-CIO