Saturday, August 19, 2017, 11:00 A.M. EST
Contact: Jessica Tang, 617-650-0632, jtang@btu.org
President, Boston Teachers Union
Boston teachers mobilize to join “Fight Supremacy” counter-protest
Boston, MA – Representing thousands of education professionals in the Boston Public Schools, the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) has joined the Fight Supremacy! Boston Counter-Protest.
The protest began at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury, MA and is marching to Boston Commons to demand justice and stand in defiance of white supremacy. BTU President Jessica Tang has released the following statement:
“Boston educators are standing in solidarity with counter-protesters in defiance of white supremacy and hatred. We will join the rally in Roxbury and march to the Commons to resist the heinous ideology of white supremacy and to oppose all those who wield or promote this toxic and reprehensible ideology in any form. We will also join the rally at the State House to stand up against racism, anti-semitism and all forms of oppression and hate. Boston educators will resist efforts by white supremacists aimed at intimidating our students, families, and colleagues and will share our message — one of inclusion, tolerance and justice. We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives, liberties, or safety of our students, families, and colleagues. Our participation in the resistance march and protest is consistent with our mission as educators to protect and to advocate for the rights and safety of all students both within the Boston Public Schools and beyond.” – Jessica Tang, President, BTU
Through its “Unafraid Educators” campaign, BTU education professionals have been vocal opponent of recent threats to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) immigration programs. Repeal of those programs would impact millions of immigrant families and could lead to the deportation of thousands of students and young people who arrived in the United States as children. BTU has partnered with the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) to start a new scholarship to help undocumented students attend college.
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The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers and other professionals including nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers. Together, we advocate for the interests of students, parents and education professionals throughout the Boston Public Schools. We support investment in public education to ensure a stronger future for our students and our city. As a union of educators, we are part of a movement that seeks to improve the quality of life for all working people and their children. We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families, or colleagues.