FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009
Ivy Quicho, Gabnet Organizing Director
Tel: 951-333-4306
organizing@gabnet.org
GABNET YOUTH CONDEMNS LAUSD SCHOOL BOARD FOR INTIMIDATION AND UNION-BUSTING
Gabnet Youth condemns the recent LA School Board and Superintendent
Ramon Cortines’ threats to impose an injunction if the teachers
continue with their planned strike. On April 30th, over 73% of the
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union members voted for a one-day
strike on May 15th to protest the budget cuts that would lay-off over
5,000 teachers and leave students in overcrowded classrooms.
Following a March 16th walk-out of over 2,000 students led by Gabnet
Youth, and student strikes throughout the city, the LA School Board
has been preparing to stop the teacher strike and any simultaneous
student protest on May 15th. Earlier this week, parents received a
phone call to their home telling them to send their children to school
and that teachers and students alike must stay in their classrooms.
“The district left a message for my parents while they were at work.
When I heard it I knew that they were trying to warn my parents and
intimidate me so that I won’t walk-out to protest with my teachers,”
explained Cassandra Roman, Gabnet Youth member.
Today, students were further informed that the United Teachers of Los
Angeles union officially called off the one-day May 15th strike to
avoid legal action by the School Board. There are still ongoing
discussions as to what course of action teachers will take this
Friday. “Our teachers told us that the strike was officially called
off, but that they may still take to the streets. We told them that
the students support them and that we will stand with them despite the
School Board threats – we’re not afraid,” said Yvania Zepeda, Gabnet
Youth leader.
The attempt to silence the teachers and students has mobilized the
larger community. Last week, Gabnet co-sponsored a forum held by
Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB) to bring the education cuts to the
attention of the Echo Park and Downtown residents. “The larger
community is watching and we are disgusted at the LA School Board’s
union-busting and cutting of resources to the schools that already get
the least,” stated Ivy Quicho, Gabnet Organizing Director. “Gabnet is
committed to fight alongside teachers and students until we see
educational equity,” added Ms. Quicho.
Gabnet Youth, a unit of the Gabnet Los Angeles chapter, has been
organizing their peers and informing them on the budget cuts to
education since February. They have partnered with teacher groups to
organize community forums, picket the School Board, and are meeting
weekly to organize to stop the lay-offs of their teachers and funding
cuts to their schools.
