Tucson students ‘fight back,’ take over school board with rowdy sit-in

[Playinghardball]

Source: Raw Story
By Stephen C. Webster

A group of Mexican-American students in Tucson, Arizona prevented their school district from voting on Tuesday night for a controversial measure that would destroy an ethnic studies course that some have called one of the most effective Latin American education program in the U.S. public school system.

The students of UNIDOS stormed into the Tucson School District board room chanting, “Education is under attack! What do we do? FIGHT BACK!” Just as the group was making its presence known, with no warning 10 students rushed the board’s seats and chained themselves together as others unfurled a banner that read “UNIDOS Presents The Youth School Board.”

They demanded that their program continue, that education be be placed under local control and that Arizona end “anti-indigenous policies” the state has been pushing under the guise of immigration reform.

Despite police presence, the protest was so successful that the school board was forced to cancel the vote and reschedule its meeting for May 5. Tucson Weekly has more.

This video was published to YouTube by user WhatABCs on Thursday, April 27, 2011

Video at: http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/04/ariz-students-fight-back-take-over-school-board-meeting/

[MineralMan]

1. Good for those kids! They have the right idea.

The cops wisely just let them be, after a short time. Their protest worked quite well at getting their point across. It may not stop what's happening, but it sure made the situation more visible.

Someone in that group will make a good activism leader.

[Ptah]

2. Re-schedlued for Cinco de Mayo

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. A most auspicious date - Cinco de Mayo

I hope that in the meantime, the students get active in their community educating the adults.

[MasonJar]

4. Good for the kids, but why did they have to do this? Where are the

adults in Arizona?

[blondeatlast]

5. Excellent! this Zonie hopes to hell that the worm is turning on this hateful state.

I do believe it is.

[texshelters]

6. Proud Tucsonan says Yeah!

I am proud of these student activists and only regret I couldn't have been there.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[Peace Patriot]

7. Now THAT is good news! Kudos and laurel wreaths to the Tucson 10!

:bounce: :applause: :applause: :applause: :bounce:

This. Is. What. Democracy. Looks. Like!!!!