They say cut back, we say fight back!

Right now, the attacks being launched against higher education are challenging how we as a country prioritize education and who should get it. These attacks are happening on the federal and state level, and students are fighting back around the country.

Take the story of Isaiah Toney: “On March 16th, the people of DC rose up against Governor Scott Walker and his allies at a fundraiser they held in Washington, D.C. Wtih three hundred occupying their front lobby and nearly a thousand outside, it’s clear that we sent message. I remember the words of a first-year that came with us: “Wow, it’s really happening!” And I agree. We are just beginning to turn the tide and when we organize to mobilize, we’ll see the progress that our forebearers fought for done justice.”

Now we have to keep organizing and defending justice – and here is what you can do:

April 4th “We Are One” National Day of Action!
On April 4, 2011, join union members, community activists, people of faith, students, youth, LGBTQ, civil rights, and immigrant rights allies to stand in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for: the freedom to bargain, to vote, to afford a college education and justice for all workers, immigrant and native-born. It’s a day to show movement with actions, teach-ins, worksite discussions, vigils, faith events – a day to be creative, but clear: We are one.

The www.we-r-1.org website has some resources to help you plan your events and check out Jobs with Justice resources including a guerilla theater script, talking points, a video discussion guide, and chants.
It’s time to come together to curb unchecked corporate power. Who will control our communities: working people or corporations?

April 5th “A Call to Learn, A Call to Escalate Action” National Teach-in!
The courageous actions by the citizens in Wisconsin are an inspiring defense of the core values of this country: a civil society based on freedom of association, healthy and stable communities that value public services and the public good.

The outpouring of support nationally shows the possibilities for challenging deepening economic inequality and political marginalization of the majority of the American people. We are on the cusp of a great movement to resist and roll-back the corporate domination by banks, energy companies and war profiteers.

To join that movement and escalate the activism planned in the days, weeks and months ahead we are organizing a “National Teach-in on Debt, Austerity and How People Are Fighting Back”.

The live web cast Teach-in will be streamed on Tuesday, April 5th, 2011, from the Judson Memorial Church in New York City, beginning at 2:00 PM EDT. Admission to Judson is free.

Social justice experts and activists from around the country will be hosted by moderators FRANCES FOX PIVEN and CORNEL WEST in New York City through a live web cast that you can join by organizing a teach-in on your own campus. To get more information, visit: http://www.fightbackteachin.org or email slap at jwj dot org.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 28th, 2011 at 4:57 pm. It is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.