Rallies oppose Washington, D.C. public school closings

The public outcry against the proposed closing of 23 Washington, D.C. public schools continues to grow. Mayor Adrian

Photo: Roger Scott

Fenty and School Chancellor Michelle Rhee have pushed for the closings as part of a broad campaign that would lead to firings of non-union employees, the sale public school buildings to private developers, and destruction of public schools in working class neighborhoods across the city. No schools in Ward 3, a wealthy part of the city, are slated for closing.

ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) volunteers attended rallies on Jan. 14 and 17 to oppose the closings. The Jan. 17 rally held in the City Council building was a show of opposition to Fenty’s cynical plan to hold 23 simultaneous public hearings in each of the schools slated for closure. Community members saw through the mayor’s ploy to minimize the size and strength of the opposition.

Two hundred people filled the room. Several students, parents and community leaders spoke at the rally organized by the Coalition to Save Our Public Schools. Between speakers, the crowd joined in a chant that will be heard again throughout the city as people mobilize against the closings: “Make no mistake, don’t be fooled. They’re about condos, we’re about schools!”