Day 8: Poetry 4 the People and Ensuring Equity

It’s another big day for our week of action against school pushout! After a week full of events focusing on our campaigns, tonight we want to showcase our members’ artistry with Poetry 4 the People at 6pm est/5pm cst/4pm mst/3pm pst

The national demand we are focusing on today is: Ensure accountability and equitable funding through the Every Students Succeeds Act (“ESSA”) and IDEA. Join us on social media to share how your local event is going, to see info on other member events by using the hashtags: #DSCWoA2020 #CounselorsNotCops #EquityforYouthNow.

Many members are holding their events today, from coast to coast. In Oakland, CA – Black Organizing Project is hosting a Community Forum: Transformation Time Is Now from 12:00-2:00pm PT providing updates on the George Floyd Resolution to continue to pressure the School Board to make good on their promise of Police Free Schools. Register at this link https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrd-usrzopE9xdCthjpElpemIJafoglOK7.

In Portland, OR Portland Parent Union (PPU) is hosting two events: a Press Conference and Caravan at 9:30am followed by Car Caravan to the Administration building demanding School Board response to PPU Statement to them asking for Virtual Trust Circles. https://simplysheilas.wixsite.com/reopeningschools. Later in the day there will be a Zoom Circle Conference at 1:00-2:30pm with youth, elders and others about: Homeschooling and virtual learning supporting elders raising grandchildren, Pushback against school openings,\  Strategy to support no cops in schools and defunding police programs that harm community members. Co-hosted with Go High Corp in Virginia.  Info on Events Link https://www.facebook.com/events/2710324455948777

In Arizona, Demand 2 Learn Campaign is having their Counselors Not Cops! Day of Action at 1:00pm-2:30pm PT. Join Demand to Learn, ACLU of Arizona and RE:FRAME Youth Arts Center volunteers and activists, educators and school leaders for a conversation on why there should be counselors, not cops, on school campuses. Tune in on Zoom: bit.ly/D2L1020 or stream live on facebook.

In Madison, WI Freedom, Inc is hosting a Virtual Talent Show for Youth of Color at 6:00-7:00pm CT Co-hosted by Milestone Democratic School. Open to any young person of color, ages 18 and under, who can dance, sing, rap, play instruments, make people laugh, etc.Register at http://bit.ly/YOCtalent. Watch live on facebook.com/FreedomYouthSquad

In Chicago, The Woman of God’s Design will have their Virtual Teach-in: Let’s Get in the Know NOW!at 10:00am CT. Topics include:Policing by Another Name….Data! by Marika Pfefferkorn, Co-founder Twin Cities Innovation Alliance (TCIA) & Executive Director, Midwest Center for School Transformation (MCST). Restorative Justice & Teaching Standards…..They Go Together by Walter Taylor, NBCT, Director of Professional Development for the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation Quest Center. Register here – https://bit.ly/WOATEACHIN

Advocating 4 Kids, Inc, of Chesapeake, VA is having a Community Forum on the harms of SROs in schools towards Black students with and without disabilities on October 10th. Also collecting video clips from various cities and states with a message of Counselors Not Cops.