It's the Time of the Season for Mic Check

Graphic by Benita Rivera

Rising up to fight for public education

People keep asking me what's the point of OWS or even the point of the education offshoot, Occupy Public Education, the group that shut down Walcott's event at Seward Park HS on Oct. 25 (see video) has been moving forward with plans to use mic check for further actions. Though OPE was not directly involved, on Oct. 30 by a group of Cobble Hill parents opposed to Eva Moskowitz' invasion were inspired to interrupt her spiel, whereupon she called off her planned meeting. See Ed Notes posts:

• Jim Devor Report on How Eva Shut Down Her Own Meet...
• Eva Shut Down By Parent Leaders in Cobble Hill - M...
• Exposing Success Academy Marketing Strategies Harm...
• Eva Walks Out When Facing the Heat

I reject the constant call for specific demands when what is needed at this time in to turn up the level of activism by adding new recruits (the 1% have money, power and influence, the 99% have potential numbers) and by refusing to be embarrassed into shutting up when the 1% and their reps are spewing their drivel. OWS has shown the time has come, especially after 10 years of ed deform, for disruption and an escalating level of uncivil disobedience.

OWS is spreading all over the world and in this city too (Occupy Cuomo: Tuesday, Nov. 8).

Now, I know even some of our supporters are concerned about how these disruptions come off. I say let's not worry about that now since we are beyond that stage. Those who have been involved have been going to meetings and acting civilly for years and been ignored or had mics turned off on them in mid-word. Mic check offers a great alternative as you can see in this video from Chicago where the union played a major role in using mic check to drown out Walker:

When Wisconsin Governor gave a speech at Chicago's Union League Club the morning of Nov 3rd, he has some unexpected guests:

Graphic by Benita Rivera

The call goes out

Calling all students, parents, and school staff to join us this Sunday at 12pm in the atrium at 60 Wall Street to prepare and organize for Monday's General Assembly on Public Education. We need to show the Chancellor and Mayor what real democratic decision looks like and we need all the stakeholders in public education to make this happen. Hope to see you Sunday and Monday! If you can't make it tomorrow, but want to help organize for Monday's action, here are some concrete ways to spread the word:

Occupy the DOE! Join us on the steps of Tweed on Monday, Nov. 7th!Parents, Educators, and Students of New York Citycordially request your presence at the
People’s General Assembly On Public Education
Date:  Monday, the Seventh of November,Two Thousand and ElevenTime:  Five p.m.Location: Steps of Tweed Hall, 52 Chambers St.
Please join us for the exercise of democracy, the raising of silenced voices, outrage at the lack of public representation in decisions of educational policy, and the creation of a People’s Agenda for our schools!

Hosted by Occupy the Department of Education; please visit us on Facebook!

Graphic by Benita Rivera

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