CTU Calls for Major Rally to Defend Public Education and Demand that the Rich & the Corporations Take Responsibility for Fleecing the Rest of US

Dear CORE Friends and Activists:

 

For weeks, CPS has been talking about their budget woes, preparing to demand concessions from our union and looking for new ways to pit teachers and parents against each other, while taking from both.

Next Tuesday two things will happen:

1.       The new Board of Education will meet and decide whether CPS can “afford” our contractual 4% raise.

 

2.       At the same time, the CFOs of some of the largest and most profitable corporations in the region will be meeting downtown at an invite-only summit hosted by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was a major supporter of “Performance Counts,” the meeting is being held at new School Board member Penny Pritzker’s Hyatt, and many of the attendees are recipients of the corporate tax loopholes, TIF dollars, and predatory bank deals that are the real causes of our schools’ budget struggles.

We are joining a protest alongside community organizations, parent groups, labor unions and activists targeting this event. These corporate cronies, bankers and billionaires have crashed our economy and taken trillions in bailout money.  They have taken homes and jobs from millions of people; and now they dodge paying taxes themselves while demanding that teachers, students and other workers take cuts to balance the budget. We are demanding that they GIVE IT BACK.

 

Details:

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011,  gather between 3:00 and 4:15 p.m.

City Front Plaza--Downtown

on Illinois Street, 1 block east of Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

March will begin at 4:15 p.m.

We expect thousands people to be at this event telling the real story of why our schools are broke and what has happened to our economy. Parents, housing activists and other unions are ready to be there in our defense. This is the type of event that can show how CORE wants to build a different type of union in our schools and in our community- but we have to stand up and make this happen in a big way. Three things you can do:

1.       TURNOUT:

Please spread the word far and wide in your school and to your friends and community. If there are any materials you need, just let us know. People can let us know they are coming online at https://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4013/c/468/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=2984  Any school that can sign up at least 25 to attend (including parents and allies) can have bus expenses reimbursed by the union. Email carolynfulton@ctulocal1.com for more info.

 

2.       MARSHALS:

This is going to be an exciting action with three marches and thousands of people converging on Michigan Ave. There is a planned civil disobedience and exciting visuals to really capture the imagination and press attention. We need people to help organize and lead the event. We need at least 20 marshals to help make all of this happen! Attend a training led by experienced action planners this Saturday from 10am to 12 noon. We will get prepared for Tuesday, learn about running a major event and end by running a short CTU action at a Bank of America branch to get some hands-on experience!  To attend the marshal training, email matthewluskin@ctulocal1.com.

 

3.       ART TEACHERS AND CREATIVE MINDS NEEDED!

Help with sign/puppet/banner making – get our message out! Meet on Saturday, June 11^th from 10a-2p at the UE Hall at 37 S. Ashland.  If you have any questions, email Caleb Jennings at caleb.jennings@seiu.org.  People will be making puppets and signs most of the day Saturday and Sunday.

  

Our raises, jobs, homes, and schools are on the line. We need to turn the tide on the corporate forces that put their profits before our students and our schools.

Please call if you need more info: 312-329-6226.

 

 

Rally sponsors:

Action Now * Albany Park Neighborhood Council * Arise Chicago * Brighton Park Neighborhood Council * Chicago ADAPT * Chicago Coalition for the Homeless * Chicago Jobs With Justice * Chicago Teachers Union * Grassroots Collaborative * Illinois Hunger Coalition * Kenwood Oakland Community Organization * Lakeview Action Coalition * Service Employees International Union * South Austin Coalition Community Council * Stand Up! Chicago * United Electrical Workers * Warehouse Workers for Justice