Teach-in and Banner/Poster Making for May 8

Education Not Incarceration
A coalition of teachers, students, parents and concerned community members
6554 Whitney Street, Oakland CA 94609, 510.654.8613, jzern1 [at] yahoo.com


April 18, 2003

We would like to request your endorsement and support for a rally in Sacramento at the State Capitol on Thursday, May 8, 2003, titled “Education not Incarceration”.

The axe has fallen on California’s schools. 1,100 teacher lay-offs in Oakland, all of Alameda Unified Schools laid-off, at least 200 teacher lay-offs in tiny Berkeley Unified Schools, 1,000 pink slips in San Francisco, and 30,000 pink slips statewide! Rumor has it that the Richmond School District has decided to cut all except their core classes from their schedules. Our class sizes are increasing. We're losing counselors. PUBLIC EDUCATION IS BEING SLAUGHTERED IN FRONT OF OUR EYES.

Meanwhile, the only significant area of California state spending that has seen an increase is prison spending. While dramatically cutting state education spending, Governor Gray Davis plans to increase prison spending by 3% and provide a raise for the prison guards.

On May 8, 2003, the Day of the Teacher, students, parents, teachers, and concerned community members will travel to Sacramento from all across California to demand “Education not Incarceration.” We will rally in front of the Capital building at noon and then visit with legislators.

California is the richest state in the richest country. There is no excuse for education cuts occurring in our state. A quality education is a human right.


How you and your organization can help:

1. Endorse the May 8 demonstration (more information at http://www.may8.org)
2. Mobilize your network to attend.
3. Help us fundraise for buses and Amtrak tickets.
4. Attend the Community Leaders meeting on Thursday, April 17 from 4:30-6:30PM at the Oakland City Hall - Hearing Room.

Current Endorsers Include:
U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee
State Senator Don Perata
Assemblywoman Wilma Chen
Alameda County Superintendent Sheila Jordan
City of Berkeley
Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates
Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley
Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Oakland Education Association

Sincerely,

Wayne Au
National Coalition of Education Activists
Jonah Zern
East Bay Educators Justice Network
Mary Prophet
San Francisco State University