The Berkeley Federation of Teachers has sent out a call to parents, guardians and community members to join them this afternoon to “stand up” for public education. The BFT plans to create a line of supporters stretching along Martin Luther King Jr. Way from University Avenue to Dwight Way, a distance of nearly one-half mile. The demonstration begins at 3:30 p.m. in front of the BUSD administration building at 2134 MLK (above).
California ranks 48th out of 50 in state funding for public education, and yearly cuts from that low base are the norm.
According to Cathy Campbell, BFT president, the goal of today’s event is to give people a way to show support for public education and to help them learn more about the structural solutions to the budgetary problems. Campbell told Berkeleyside that the BFT has trained people over the last few years to “talk taxes”, and teachers and community members will be walking through the crowd this afternoon to “have as many conversations as possible”.
You can get further information about the BFT’s plans for the Day of Action by calling them on 549-2307.
