The Chicago Teachers Union and advocacy group Action Now collaborated on a protest against the Chicago Public School’s proposal to close or turnaround 18 schools this afternoon at Dvorak Math and Science Academy in the Lawndale neighborhood.

Protesters marched from Dvorak Math and Science Academy, on Central Park Ave. and 16th St., to Herzl Elementary School, on Central Park Ave. and Douglas Park Boulevard. CPS wants to turnaround Herzl, meaning students stay at the school but CPS replaces the teachers and principal – with private contractor Academy for Urban School Leadership taking over.

The criticisms made by CTU, Action Now, and Herzl parents and local school council members are now familia: Rahm Emanuel and CPS President Jean-Claude Brizard don’t listen to the communities impacted by the closings. There’s not evidence that closings and turnarounds boost student performance. CPS demonizes teachers that must work in already difficult environments.

“The situation is that the fight for our schools is not contained in the four walls of our building,” says CTU Vice-President Jesse Sharkey. “It must be thought of as contained in the four walls of our society.”
But the protest Monday was unique in its timing and location. Demonstrators were far away from the corridors of power as they walked down 16th St. and Hamlin Avenue in Lawndale, past residents who acted both puzzled and supportive. Here is video of the March:

And the march was held on Martin Luther King, Jr. day – in the neighborhood King lived in during his tumultuous time in Chicago. Demonstrators paraded past the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. legacy apartments, which were set up a year ago.

“King lived here in the North Lawndale area 45 years ago and saw the racial and social inequality in this neighborhood,” said Michelle Young, president of Action Now. “Unfortunately this inequality still exists today.”

Here is Young addressing the demonstrators:

In addition to the march in Lawndale, CTU was also in front of Marquette Elementary School, at 6550 S. Richmond St., today protesting that school’s proposed closing.

CPS will have a second round of community meetings regarding the turnaround of Herzl and other school actions January 20. The Chicago Board of Education will vote on these proposed school actions in its February meeting.

Image: AP