SCHOOLS, NOT JAILS

BALTIMORE, January 16 — As another strong step in the struggle against Maryland Governor O’Malley’s plan to build a new $100-million youth jail, a bold protest rally was organized by Occupy Baltimore, Schools Not Jails and the Baltimore Algebra Project.

While a sizeable group of supporters erected a huge tent, and as volunteers brought supper for everyone, six people defied state and local police by crossing the fenced perimeter of the would-be construction site. A large truck of pre-fabricated construction material was collectively unloaded. Then pieces of a one-room, red wooden school house were passed, hand to hand, up to and over the fence.

As kkkops decided exactly what to do and when, the six people who had entered the site managed — before being arrested — to finish building the schoolhouse, symbolizing the demand being chanted: “Education, not Incarceration!” One of the six, a teacher, also managed to conduct a brief class, repeated in mic-check Occupy-style by everyone at the support rally, just outside the fence. The class cited anti-racist lessons to be learned from the life of Frederick Douglass.

Meanwhile, all 50 CHALLENGES that were brought were eagerly taken by rally participants. In an electrifying moment, a young comrade, recognizing the need for mass advocacy of Progressive Labor Party’s revolutionary ideas, took the initiative to give a dynamic and well-received speech, explaining the necessity for working-class revolution and communism.

It’s now appears that the governor and the local ruling class may back down on this issue, at least for now, and forego construction of the new jail. Even of more profound importance is the emergence of a new PLP study group, led by young comrades, to help create the next generation of revolutionary leaders.

Dare to struggle, dare to win!