BROOKLYN, NY, May 9 — “Fight back, fight back!” Hundreds of Clara Barton H.S. students poured out onto the streets today to protest harassment and show support for two teachers, both PLP members, who received an unsatisfactory (U) rating last June. The rally had a broad base of support and was endorsed by local union delegates as well as union caucuses, including SOTU (State of the Union). Hundreds of students and many staff members wore stickers with messages of support all around the school.
When students came out of the building, a group of retired teachers were there to greet them with signs. The students grabbed flyers as they left the school. Many still wore the stickers and chanted “Schools Not Jails” as they exited.
The administration tried to prevent the rally. The front exits were closed and students were forced to exit through the back entrances. Their efforts backfired when these students joined hundreds of others and marched around to the front of the school and then to the train station.
At the train station the rally regrouped as students led chants and gave speeches, along with staff members. One teacher, a friend of PLP, explained why it is so important to “think outside the box” and that this is the reason why the administration fears PLP. Many people from the community came forward to speak to us and show their solidarity. When local cops tried to end the rally, student leaders stayed strong and started to chant “The cops, the courts, the KuKluxKlan, all are part of the bosses’ plan!” and “Know your rights!”
These two teachers were rated unsatisfactory by the racist Principal Forman for going to a union rally and march in Washington, DC, with students and parents. That rally was organized by a host of unions and attended by thousands of students, teachers and parents nationwide. However, racist Forman, along with the assistant principal of security, has tried to implement a policy that all teachers and students need administration’s approval for any after-school or weekend activities! He and the Department of Education (DoE) think they have more say-so over the students than their parents! How’s that for fascism! The DOE flunkies take control of the students from their parents!
Simultaneously, they have made the school feel like a jail with harsh suspension policies, school uniforms and interrogations of students who take CHALLENGE or leaflets from PLP members. We have consistently pointed out that while students in more elite schools are encouraged to travel and “see the world,” students in our school face rules, regulations and limits when they try to do the same. We explained that this is a racist attack on our students, who are mainly black and Latino. While we are challenging these U ratings in the courts, our main fight is always in the streets!
The day of the rally, the administration acted as if they thought the revolution was about to start. They showed their contempt for the phony rights of free speech and the right to assemble and demonstrate. They called for an early dismissal, canceling all after-school classes and activities. They lied to staff and students about what was going on. One administrator said something about practicing a different exit tactic. The DoE also cancelled classes in the school next door, and dismissed the nearby elementary school early.
This rally exposed the truth that the administration and the DoE are not about education; they are about keeping staff, but especially students ignorant, passive and obedient. Sounds like they want willing soldiers for their expanding wars.
This rally is part of a long fight for a better world — a communist world. As the rulers prepare for more and bigger wars to dominate the world, we must also prepare for more battles against racism and sexism and for communism. This was about more than just defending two communist teachers.
During this rally many students stepped forward showing bold leadership and initiative. Some wanted to fight for communism; some were just angry and fed up with the administration’s harassment. Some have been organizing and fighting back for some time; some stepped forward for the first time. We all have to step forward and toughen up. Join the Progressive Labor Party!