Above photo: Mayor Richard M. Daley talks to Ron Huberman, Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools before announcing a new online summer school project at a press conference at Chicago Military Academy. (Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune March 21, 2012)
On the UN’s International Day of Peace
SAN DIEGO AND SAN FRANCISCO (September 21, 2014) – Nearly fifty educators, writers, and prominent activists on the United Nation’s International Day of Peace have signed on to a national call to save civilian public education. From Noam Chomsky to Amy Wagner of New York City’s YA-YA Network (Youth Activists-Youth Allies), signers are seeking to draw attention to developments in the educational system that could have disastrous long-term social and political consequences.
The national call introduction states:
Over the last several decades, the Pentagon, conservative forces, and corporations have been systematically working to expand their presence in the K-12 learning environment and in public universities. The combined impact of the military, conservative think tanks and foundations, and of corporatization of our public educational systems has eroded the basic democratic concept of civilian public education. It is a trend that, if allowed to continue, will weaken the primacy of civilian rule and, ultimately, our country’s commitment to democratic ideals.
(Complete text:www.
The signers of this statement believe it is urgent for all advocates of social justice, peace and the environment to recognize the dangerous nature of this problem and confront it with deliberate action. Signers include, among others, Bill Bigelow (Curriculum Editor, Rethinking Schools), Bill Branson (VVAW National Office), Hannah Frisch (Civilian Soldier Alliance), Tom Hayden (activist, author, teacher), Arlene Inouye (Treasurer, United Teachers of Los Angeles), Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) National Office, Isidro Ortiz (Professor, San Diego State University), Jesus Palafox (American Friends Service Committee, Chicago), Pablo Paredes (AFSC 67 Sueños), Joanne Sheehan (New England Regional War Resisters League) and Kristin Stoneking (Executive Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation USA).
The National Call suggests actions for foundations, organizations and individuals to take to implement the call. The campaign will run through the year, joining in on the International Week of Action for Military-Free Education and Research, October 25-31, sponsored by the Countering the Militarization of Youth project (http://www.antimili-youth.
For publication purposes, the complete text of the National Call to Save Civilian Public Education can be requested in Word or plain text format
To read the full text with links to actions you can take, click here: National Call-Save Civilian Public Education-9-21-14