[Educationforall] FW: [March 4 National Day of Action] Obama Team's Shill US Education Secretary Arne Duncan Faces Protest For Pushing Privatization

[Marcos Perez]

From: lvpsf at igc.org
To: march4thaction at googlegroups.com
Subject: [March 4 National Day of Action] Obama Team's Shill US Education Secretary Arne Duncan Faces Protest For Pushing Privatization
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:51:40 -0700


Obama Team's Shill US Education Secretary Arne Duncan Faces Protest For Pushing Privatizationhttp://blip.tv/file/3805931
On 6/25/2010, US Education Secretary Arne Duncan faced protesters
when he was attending a graduation at Foothill College in California. 
Professors, teachers, students along with the Raging Grannies protested
his "Race To The Top" and other privatization schemes. Pres Obama and
Duncan have both backed the firing of teachers in Rhode Island and believe
corporateers should run the education system. The demonstration was
initiated by the United Public Workers For Action.
For more information go toUnited Workers For Action www.upwa.info





http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/06/26/18651901.php



Education Secretary Arne Duncan Gets Unwelcomed at Foothill College
by E. Wentworth 
Saturday Jun 26th, 2010 1:41 AM
Union buster and privatizer Arne Duncan is the US Secretary Of Education. He has supported the mass firing of teachers and is working with privateers to destroy public education. Demonstrators protested at Foothill Community College where Duncan was the keynote speaker yesterday. Duncan is scheduled to speak again at DeAnza College graduation ceremony in Cupertino this morning. 

Top photo: E. Wentworth. Students show interest in the placards displayed by demonstrators as they file by on their way to Foothill's graduation ceremony.


640_duncanfilesmile_1.jpg
original image ( 2223x1397)

United Public Workers for Action (UPWA) called for a demonstration when it was announced that US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan would be the keynote speaker at Foothill Community College's graduation ceremony on June 25. After receiving permission from the college administration early this week to stage a peaceful protest, a Skyline Community College instructor received calls from Foothill College president Judy Miner asking that he cancel the planned demonstration. He also received calls from the office of Arne Duncan trying to convince him that Duncan should not be the target of protesters. 

KTVU-TV interviewed both the demonstrators and Mr. Duncan before and after yesterday's graduation ceremony. The demonstrators explained that the Obama administration's emphasis on charter schools is linked to the demonization of teachers unions and the privatization of the public school system, and that slashing public school funding is not in the best interest of our citizens. In Mr. Duncan's soundbite, all he could muster was the usual answer often used to obfuscate the issue, "Charter schools ARE public schools." 

Duncan is the former chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools. He is credited with raising test scores and educational standards in Chicago where, in fact, he actually facilitated the privatization of public education in Chicago. This was achieved through the expansion of charter schools and the weakening of the public teachers union. A spokesperson for the UPWA said it is ironic and tragic that the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District is allowing an enemy of public education to give the keynote addresses at public Foothill and DeAnza Colleges at a time when public education in California is under attack. 

Activist group the Raging Grannies, many of whom are retired public school teachers, endorsed this action and composed several songs for the event. Demonstrators sang as the graduating students lined the walkway to proceed to the ceremony. While most students were unaware of the nature of the controversy surrounding the keynote speaker, many were interested in the demonstration. Some asked questions of the protesters and expressed concern, especially those who are headed to careers in counseling and education. 



YouTube - Obama Team Education Shill Arne Duncan Faces Protests At Foothill Against Privatization Schemeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k29h9Uyv27E
On 6/25/2010 a protest greeted US Secretary of Education 
Arne Duncan who was at the Foothill Community College 
graduation ceremony. Students, trade unionists and activists
and the Raging Grannies protested his push for "race to the top"
and other privatization schemes that he and Obama are 
pushing to destroy public education. The protest was organized by 
United Public Workers For Action www.upwa.info


 		 	   		  
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