Los Angeles is Hungry For a Better Education! Stop Cuts to Public Education!

Hungry for a Better Education
hungerstrike@riseup.net

June 1, 2009

Board Members García, Flores-Aguilar, and Vladovic
Los Angeles Unified School District
333 South Beaudry Avenue, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
monica.garcia@lausd.net
yolie.flores.aguilar@lausd.net
richard.vladovic@lausd.net

Dear Board Members Garcia, Flores-Aguilar, and Vladovic:

On behalf of the teachers and community members currently on day six of the Hungry for a Better Education fast, we write to you today to ask for your support.  We have counted on it before and you have been there for us in the past.  You have been there to push for A-G classes, small schools, decentralizing LAUSD, and sending QEIA funds to the right schools.  But now when the need is greatest, you have abandoned the fight for our children and instead have given in to fear and hopelessness.

This budget crisis is enormous; none of us doubt that.  However, there can also be no doubt that deeper and deeper cuts will not be enough to solve it.  We need to find new sources of funds and that means fighting against those in power who oppose making sacrifices themselves and who desire to take the politically easiest solution: taking from the most vulnerable, our children.  But instead of unifying us in this fight to defend public education you have chosen to unnecessarily cut our children’s classrooms.  This choice has led some to organize for your recall, when together we should be organizing for full funding of education.

We have begun this hunger strike to remind you of your purpose and your obligation to the communities that gave you your office.  It is your responsibility to stand up for our children.  Cesar Chavez once said that to teach our children what it means to be fully man or woman requires each of us to use our lives to show the way.  We have begun this hunger strike to demonstrate what that means through our personal sacrifice.  It is our hope that you will join us by taking action to stop class size increases and rescind the layoff notices.

We urge you to spend whatever stimulus money is needed to stop any class size increases and rescind all layoff notices to teachers.  Beyond that, we urge you to abandon the impossible task of saving our schools by cutting our classrooms.  We urge you to lead us in the struggle to find new sources of funds so that our children are among the last to suffer under this economic crisis and not among the first.

We look forward to your leadership.


Respectfully,
The participants in the Hungry for a Better Education fast

What can you do to help? 
1. RECALL CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES! www.recallLAUSDboard.com SIGN UP
2. Pressure LAUSD Boardmembers to change their vote & spend more stimulus money now & negotiate with teachers. Contact info: http://tinypaste.com/09c47
Open Letter to the Board: http://tinypaste.com/92929d9
3. Call on Mayor Villaraigosa to push the District TELEPHONE: 213-978-0600

Ecuador - President of UNE-IMBABURA -  http://tr.im/ocDA
British Columbia Teachers' Federation -  http://tr.im/o4gu
Carlos Montes - (a founder of Brown Berets) -  http://tr.im/oy4d
TASSC -  June 4 - ORG. INT'L EN CONTRA DE LA TORTURA  http://tr.im/nAJh
Teacher from Oaxaca - June 4 - http://tr.im/nyEY
Trinational Coalition to Defend Public Ed. – USA - June 3 -  http://tr.im/nyDs
Association of Raza Educators - L.A. - May 29 -  http://tr.im/oy6C

HUNGRY FOR A BETTER EDUCATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hungry for a Better Education announces the end of its hunger strike and the beginning of a recall effort

June 18th, 2009, Los Angeles, California – At a press conference at 4:00 PM in front of the LAUSD headquarters, Hungry for a Better Education will announce the conclusion of the hunger strike component of its campaign to defend the classrooms of LAUSD and the beginning of a recall effort targeting those LAUSD School Board Members who continue to act against the interests of the students of LAUSD.  Speaking at the event will be participants in the hunger strike, including teacher Sean Leys and community activist Martin Terrones who participated in the entire 24 days of fast.  Fast participant and Vice President of UTLA’s Political Action Council of Educators (PACE) Marco Flores will speak on the recall effort.  A.J. Duffy, president of the teachers’ union UTLA will begin the press conference by speaking on the future partnership of the Hungry for a Better Education organizers and UTLA and UTLA’s commitment to the goals of Hungry for a Better Education.

The Hungry for a Better Education fast was created by an ad-hoc group of teachers and community members independently of UTLA or any other organization.  While some of the participants have received layoff notices, many have not.  Participants are unified by their belief that students must have a quality education; they are not taking this action for themselves.  This has been a campaign inspired by a genuine belief in the importance of dedication, sacrifice, and conscience.  The goal of the participants is to pressure Superintendent Cortines and the Board of Education to take a stand for the children of Los Angeles.

Demands
            1) Protect out students’ education by NOT increasing class size
            2) Protect the future of education in LAUSD by NOT laying off our new teachers


Location:

LAUSD Headquarters
June 18th, 4:00 PM
333 South Beaudry Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Media Contacts:

Jessica Buchanan - Community Organizer (English / Español) –
(562) 477-2652

Kelly Flores - Teacher Organizer (English / Español) –
(323) 286-5244

Jose Lara - Teacher Organizer (English / Español) –
(714) 864-0543

Sean Leys - Fast Participant (English Only) –
(323) 490-2412

June 11 - Press Release -  http://tr.im/oT6P
June 10 - Press Release (Santee) -  http://tr.im/oCGJ
June 4 - Press Release -  http://tr.im/oy2w
June 2 - Press Release -  http://tr.im/nBh4
June 1 - Press Release -  http://tr.im/nBhF

June 5, 12PM, we will be having a General Assembly meeting in front of the Beaudry Building to start discussing curriculum, schedules and most importantly, to discuss and determine the location where we expect to hold our first class en masse. If you want to be part of the planning, please attend. If not, don’t worry.

So long as you let me know by email at clase@madrigalproductions.com that you are interested in teaching or volunteering or dropping off your child, we will be sending you a form to fill out with your preferred teaching interest or volunteer service. http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/07/228764.php

June 19 STATEMENT in SPANISH by Martin Terrones: http://tr.im/p6Y6
June 19, 20, 21, 22 Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc @ Beaudry - Cortinesville
Cortinesville continues at LAUSD HQ
MAP: http://tinyurl.com/LAUSD-Encampment

JUNE 18 PRESS RELEASE:  http://tr.im/oV3L
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 4PM THURSDAY JUNE 18 [TODAY]
WHERE: "Cortinesville" at LAUSD hdqrs (Beaudry Building)
MAP: http://tinyurl.com/LAUSD-Encampment
ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY:
End of Hunger Strike & Launch of School Board Recall Campaign

June 23 - Press Release http://tr.im/ptE2
12:00 PM  Protest at LAUSD!
3:00 PM Meet in the Street & Call out for Popular Education
TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!!

June 22 - Press Conference - Liechty Middle School students denied diplomas over Monica Garcia protest - NBC http://tr.im/pnL5 Univision www.tr.im/pq5h LAist www.tr.im/pokh

DOLORES HUERTA June 12 - IMAGES - http://tr.im/okxR VIDEO -  http://tr.im/ol1e media/bloggers welcome to use images & video (please credit CutsHurtKids.org

DAY 23 - [June 18]  Hunger Strike by LA Teachers & Community Members! Send them a note of encouragement on Twitter. We're using this hashtag: #LAhungry4ED 

WEDNESDAY June 17
4:00 - Parents from all schools will wait for Cortines (outside LAUSD HQ)
6:00 - Parents and teachers will meet up go to Ramon Cortines' house for a candlelight vigil at 7:00.  (camp-out continues)

Camp-out needs your support!  Please come and stay the night!  Bring anything you'd like to share!  More actions are being planned...come to the camp-out for more info...

Encampment AKA "Cortinesville" at LAUSD hdqrs 
(Beaudry Building)
FLYER: http://tr.im/o9It
MAP: http://tinyurl.com/LAUSD-Encampment

THURSDAY June 11, 6PM Permanent Encampment starts at LAUSD hdqrs  (Beaudry Building)! MAP: http://tinyurl.com/LAUSD-Encampment
FRIDAY June 12 - Dolores Huerta to visit LAUSD encampment ~ 11:15 AM
SATURDAY June 13 & SUNDAY June 14 encampment at LAUSD continues..

SANTEE - Camp-out PICS - http://tr.im/oHBi
video June 9 -  http://tr.im/o64a
Press Release: June 10  http://tinypaste.com/8a32f62
MAP -  http://tr.im/o44B

WEDNESDAY 6PM - Santee Campout
* 6:00 PM – 11PM Community Pot-luck, Teach –in, Teachers and Hunger Strikers Available for Interviews

THURSDAY, June 11th - Santee Teachers and Hunger Strikers Press
Conference - 5:00AM – 7:00AM

Tuesday June 9 @ 7AM - Press Conference - Lincoln High School
Flyer English:  http://tr.im/nFRx
Flyer Español:  http://tr.im/nFRu
Tuesday June 9 @ 3PM Rally at Liechty Middle School; 3:30PM March begins; 4:15PM Protest at LAUSD headquarters
Flyer English: http://tr.im/nS5c
Flyer Español: http://tr.im/nS5Q

Tuesday evening June 9, Camp-out at Santee starts 6PM & goes to Thurs AM

Monday June 8 @ 6-8PM - Community Potluck - Lincoln High School
Monday June 8 @ 8PM - Bestselling Writer, Luis J. Rodriguez, will be at Lincoln H.S., [Author of Always Running] MAP: http://tinyurl.com/LincolnCampOut

Sean Leys writes about convo w/ Senator Gloria Romero: http://tr.im/nB9H
*** CA Senator Gloria Romero Visits June 4 campout at Miguel Contreras PHOTOS  http://tr.im/nxTG
June 4-6  camp-out is at Miguel Contreras L.C. http://tr.im/nhLt
(322 S lucas Ave)  MAP http://tinyurl.com/Miguel-Contreras-Campout

June 1-3 - Community meeting & camp-out in front of Liechty Middle School
PHOTOS: http://tr.im/ncZn (by David Rapkin)

P.A.P.E.L. SUMMER SCHOOL
UNIVISION July 22 - www.tr.im/tSmD Parents, Teachers & Students unity
LAUNCH July 13 - KPFK FM 90.7  http://tr.im/s4eg

LOBBYING SACRAMENTO:
*RADIO* advt by pinkslipped Teacher Julie Van Winkle (Liechty Middle School) www.tr.im/qcef (paid for by CFT & UTLA)

MONICA GARCIA PROTEST /  LIECHTY DIPLOMA SCANDAL:
students denied diplomas after silently protesting LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia (grad speaker); students forced to sign apology letter. Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News, ABC7, LA OPINION, LAist, Univision, A Day Like This Blog, NBC4, 4LAKids Blog, DC, TX blogs -
June 22, 23, 24 - http://tinypaste.com/491bf

RECALL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH:
DemocracyNow: Amy Goodman 6-19 headlines - http://tr.im/p7rN
KPFK - interview: parents & hunger strikers - http://tr.im/p7fC
IndyMedia - June 19 Op/Ed by Martin Terrones - http://tr.im/p6Y6
ABC7 - http://tr.im/p7iK
NBC4 - http://tr.im/oVz5  http://tr.im/oYM3
LATimes Blog -  http://tr.im/oYIa

HUNGER STRIKE - INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE
Al Jazeera English - [part1] http://tr.im/of92 [part2]  http://tr.im/of9t
El Economistia, Mexico -  http://tr.im/oIZS

HUNGER STRIKE - NATIONAL COVERAGE
NPR - Liechty Middle School - Julie Van Winkle - http://tr.im/oSTc
DemocracyNow - Amy Goodman interviews Sean Leys -  http://tr.im/o28o
MSNBC -  http://tr.im/nKbs
USA Today - http://tinyurl.com/kohvtp
JUNE 13, 2009 (Boston, Orlando, Fresno, Philadelphia, Dayton, Columbia)
http://tr.im/oKwv

HUNGER STRIKE - INDYMEDIA COVERAGE
June 4, 17, 18, 19 http://tr.im/psbt

MORE MEDIA COVERAGE  [see below]

LOCAL COVERAGE
June 17 - CBS2 -  http://tr.im/oVsg
June 16 - KCET - "Cortinesville" set up at LAUSD HQ  http://tr.im/oKw6
June 13 - La Opinion, Los Angeles -  http://tr.im/oJht

JUNE 13
Boston, Mass
http://tinyurl.com/m7of4a
Orlando Sentinel
http://tinyurl.com/mnxqlm
Fresno Bee
http://tinyurl.com/mxzvhq
Philadelphia
http://tinyurl.com/l9zxhh
Dayton, Ohio
http://tinyurl.com/nz76o4
Columbia, Washington
http://tr.im/ouzs
La Opinion, Los Angeles
http://tr.im/oJht

JUNE 12
El Nuevo Herald     
http://tinyurl.com/l9ghkv
LA Voz de Houston
http://tinyurl.com/nvrkb2
Noticias 24
http://tinyurl.com/n6az7z

JUNE 9
El Economistia, Mexico
http://tinyurl.com/m5d9p8

KCAL9 - LAUSD Beaudry Camp-out - http://tr.im/ofaI
La Opinion - June 10 - http://tr.im/ocuw (with photo of Ms. Barragan)
YouthRadio.org - June 10 -  http://tr.im/ocvw
LA Times - June 9 - Day 14 of Hunger Strike -  http://tr.im/nWbr

FRONT PAGE:
La Opinion - May 31 - Jose Lara  -  http://tr.im/ocSM
HOY - May 29 - Santee Students confront Cortines - http://tr.im/mP7Y

EDUCATION BLOGGERS
Emily Henry - A Day Like This -  http://tr.im/nyas
Mike Klonsky - SmallTalk Blog -  http://tr.im/nA34
Fred Klonsky - FredKlonskyBlog -  http://tr.im/nA4j

STUDENT MEDIA
YouthRadio.org - May29 - Students learn from Hunger Strike http://tr.im/ne7w


NBC LA - June 9 - Day 14 of Hunger Strike -  http://tr.im/nZu5
LA.Indymedia.org - June 5 - Sean Leys on Convo w/ Senator Gloria Romero -  http://tr.im/nB9H
EdTechTalk - June 4 - TRANSCRIPT Sen. Gloria Romero & Sean Leys convo:  http://tr.im/nz4V
LA Times - June 3 Jose Lara & son at Campout http://tr.im/nlJh
Telemundo Ch52 - http://tr.im/njBk

KTLA - Liechty Campout http://tr.im/nsUn
FOX - June 3 - http://tr.im/njZv
ABC7 - June 9 - Lincoln H.S. - Day14 of Hunger Strike - http://tr.im/nUiV
LA.Indymedia.org June 4 - VIDEO Sean Leys -  http://tr.im/nzN6
LA.Indymedia.org June 4 - article -  http://tr.im/nzLb
EdTechTalk - June 4 - Miguel Contreras campout http://tr.im/nxY1
LAist - June 3 article by Lindsay William-Ross - http://tr.im/nlEk
NBC - June 2 - Julie Van Wrinkle http://tr.im/ne96
ABC7 - June 2 -Teacher Campout Liechty - http://tr.im/ncjQ
CBS2 - June 2 -Teacher Campout - http://tr.im/nccC
NBC - News Raw - Teacher: Alexia Lewis (Lincoln HS) http://tr.im/n7PA
LAist - June 1 - Letter to LAUSD Board http://tr.im/n3W7
NBC-ch4 Teacher Ron Gochez http://tr.im/n0pT
LA OPINION - frontpage Teachers Jose Lara & Brenda Barragan:
http://tr.im/n0kF  http://tr.im/n0kL
KTLA - Teach-In May30 - http://tr.im/mYm2
NBC - http://tr.im/mKVP
PHOTOS of Press Conference (Tim Ackerly) http://tr.im/mQRj
KTLA - http://tr.im/mQRL
KRCA - http://tr.im/mRUL
LA Times - http://tr.im/mURr (Sean Leys announces Hunger Strike)