Protecting Our Schools and Our Democracy
Protecting Our Schools and Our Democracy
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
A “small group” of more than a thousand marched in Milford more than a week ago to demand the release of Marcelo Gomes da Silva. Hundreds of students protested all through last week. And they won – Marcelo was freed and returned to his life as a student at Milford High School. On the other side of the country, SEIU union president David Huerta was detained by ICE for standing up for his immigrant members. Following days of protest, David is free, but our union siblings and community allies in Los Angeles continue to fight back against relentless ICE raids and the military presence in their city. We stand with them.
Given that 1,500 residents of the Commonwealth have been detained and deported in the past few months, we know that the threats to our students, educators and communities will not end soon. But as we know from the work of those who have studied authoritarianism (see the Political Education section below!), organized, popular resistance is essential. You have done that all across the state during contract campaigns and override fights. You did that on May Day. And we will do this on Labor Day and beyond. Because we must, to protect our public schools and colleges, and our democracy.
MTA Events, Opportunities and Solidarity Actions
TONIGHT: Senator Ed Markey’s “Big Billionaire Bill” Teach-in
When: Wednesday, June 11, 8 - 9 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Join Senator EdMarkey at a virtual “teach-in” about education and climate cuts, featuring Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, Liz Becker of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, and Michael Linden, executive director of Families Over Billionaires. Register to attend
Take Action for RetirementPlus Fix The MTA needs the help of local presidents and members in influencing legislators to include a fair fix to RetirementPlus. Local presidents are invited to sign this letter, to fix the program in the FY26 state budget. As background, the House provided language that would create a fair and clear pathway for teachers hired before July 1, 2001 to have a new opportunity to join RetirementPlus, but the Senate did not include it. The deadline for signatures is Friday, June 13, at 5 p.m. MTA local presidents, please sign this form. MTA members are encouraged to email their legislators and urge them to instruct Conference Committee members to include a RetirementPlus fix in the final budget. If you have questions, please email retirementplus@massteacher.org.
Survey on Mental Health Frameworks
The Education Development Center is working with the state Executive Office of Education, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health to create a comprehensive, aligned framework that strengthens how public educational institutions support the mental and behavioral health of all learners. Perspectives from MTA educators are invited. The survey is confidential and the EDC will not ask for names or identifying information. The deadline for the 15-minute survey is Friday, June 13. The survey can be found here.
Boston Pride for the People Parade
When: Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m
Where: Copley Square, Boston
It is Pride month and backing our LGBTQIA+ members, students and community members matters more than ever. It is all one fight! Please show up for the upcoming Pride march on June 14 in Boston. June 14 is also the No Kings Day of national action.
Don’t Forget to Register for the Juneteenth Celebration
When: Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Fuller Middle School, Framingham
Did you know you can bring your family and guests to our Juneteenth celebration? The Ethnically Marginalized Affairs Committee has plenty of family-friendly activities planned for this year's theme, “Literacy is Liberation.” This includes storytelling by Len Cabral, drumming by Sidy Maïga and sounds of the African diaspora by DJ Lady Ly. Breakfast will be provided by Neighborhood Kitchen, desserts by Gerly’s Ice Cream, and the day will include a book swap, family activities and more. Register to participate.
Statewide Graduation Council Seeks Feedback
When: June 30 deadline
Where: Online survey
The Statewide Graduation Council is seeking input to inform the council’s recommendations for how Massachusetts can ensure all students graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in college, careers and civic life, regardless of background or circumstance. Take the survey to share your opinions. The survey closes on Monday, June 30.
Political Education
On Monday, I (Max) had a chance to participate in a “fight back” workshop with Hardy Merriman, whose work on resisting authoritarianism is essential for our work ahead. I would urge that you listen to this presentation and read his (free) book, “Fostering a Fourth Democratic Wave: A Playbook for Countering the Authoritarian Threat.”
Here’s a key takeaway: When unions are central to the resistance to rising authoritarianism, that resistance is far more likely to succeed. We need courts to stop illegal actions. We need legislators to investigate and pass laws. We need to win elections. But we also need broad popular resistance, such as was seen in Milford over the past week, and as we saw on May Day, and as we will see on June 14, during the combined Pride and No Kings Day of Action.
MTA member support of Milford student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva is a continuation of the MTA’s longstanding defense of immigrant students. In 1971, the MTA’s top legislative priority was a transitional bilingual education bill. “Our first concern is that these are living, aspiring, needful children in the midst of our highly technical and widely proclaimed American Society,” one author wrote in MTA’s publication. When the bill was signed by Republican Gov. Francis Sargent a few months later, it became the first mandatory bilingual education law in the country. Concern for “living, aspiring, needful children” is in short supply in some quarters these days, but not among MTA members. Learn more about the bilingual bill in the March 1971 edition of the Massachusetts Teacher and read about the MTA’s history at massteacher.org/history.
In solidarity,
Max and Deb