Enough!
Enough!
Barbara Madeloni,
President
Greetings,
I write from Japan, where I am meeting with educators' union leaders whose motto is "not one more student to the battlefield." It is an outrageous irony that for students in the U.S., that battlefield can be the very school that should be a place of safety. Educators and students are ready to say "not one more student murdered by gun violence." #enough
There are already three calls to action that I am joining the NEA and AFT in informing members about. The MTA strongly supports educators participating in the actions below. More information will be forthcoming.
-Wednesday, March 14: A coalition called Women's March Youth EMPOWER has announced a National School Walkout. On that day, students and educators will walk out of their schools at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes to honor the 17 lives lost in Parkland, Florida. Parents and allies are being asked to join them. The NEA and the AFT are also encouraging educators throughout the country to wear orange on that day.
-Saturday, March 24: Students who survived the Parkland tragedy are calling for marches and rallies on March 24 to demand action from our political leaders against gun violence. In Boston, a March for Our Lives: Boston rally is being planned for Boston Common from noon to 5 p.m. There will also be a student-led march in Washington, D.C.
-Friday, April 20: The Network for Public Education, NEA, AFT, Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence and other national organizations are calling on communities to take action against gun violence in multiple ways. They are encouraging communities to hold actions on April 20 that send a strong message to elected officials that #enoughisenough. April 20 marks the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy.
More actions are being planned, so we will keep you posted on updates through MTA's Facebook and Twitter pages and by other means. Also please let your MTA field representative know of any planned events in your locals. We need to develop our understanding, build our solidarity, and engage in direct action that uses our collective power to create the world we want.
Our union is a critical space for building this power. Do not forget to show your union commitment and solidarity on Monday, Feb. 26, the Working People's Day of Action. Join other members by wearing stickers, holding walk-ins, attending a rally and posting the message on social media that you are sticking with the union. Show the students and the community that union strength creates a better world for everyone.
I will be in touch with more ideas and information next week.
Solidarity,
Barbara