The attempts to dismantle the Detroit Board of Education have gone away, for now, but the issues we face as a community remain.
We show our appreciation to those council members who resisted those who attempted to spend their way into a decision. We fought on the basis of civil rights, constitutional rights. We should never be asked to vote to give away our inalienable rights.
The community effectively made the point. We have work to do, this process should not have needed this much time to decide its outcome. With the very important work that needs to be done, this was a bad distraction. The voice of the people was louder than the influence of money.
Hopefully, we can turn our attention to the rest of the issues which affect the quality of our lives.
Some of these are:
Education EQUAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS NOW!
(Why doesn’t Michigan have equal funding laws or policies for ALL public schools?)
Transportation: Our children have to travel too far to attend school,
People have to travel too far to get work
Jobs We need JOBS in Detroit for those who LIVE IN DETROIT
Crime: At times we are treated unfairly by the people in the system
At times, we are treated unfairly by the laws of the system
And change comes too slowly for rules within the system
We should never have to vote to ensure that we have the right to vote!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HoodResearch/363500343460?v=wall
Prepared by Hood Research
wethepeopledetroit@gmail.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Victory Won Today! City Council Defeated Mayoral Takeover 6-3!
The efforts of the citizens of Detroit won a victory after four weeks of making public comment opposing Mayoral Control of the Detroit Public Schools! The persistence and passion of the citizens made it clear that we DO NOT INTEND TO VOTE TO GIVE OUR RIGHTS AWAY BY ELIMINATING AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD.
We know that we must work collectively to strengthen all aspects of DPS including an aggressive curriculum to include strong math and science, language and reading components; as well creating a code of standards for future DPS board candidates. We also believe that we must look into the possibly of having a paid board.
Opponents of Mayoral Control of DPS filled the council chambers while a handful of the Detroit Parent Network supporters resided in the overflow auditorium. Councilman Gary Brown's defeated resolution was supported by Councilpersons Saunteel Jenkins, Charles Pugh and of course Brown! Councilpersons Joann Watson, Ken Cockrel, James Tate, Brenda Jones, Andre Spivey and Kwame Kenyatta voted against the Mayoral Takeover measure. To the councilpersons who were on the right side of this very important issue, we thank you for standing up for the children and parents of Detroit.
See the blog's sidebar on the right for the new NAACP report on education. Click on "Head Office of NAACP Agrees We Should Fight For Free Public Education." Wait a few seconds and the PDF report called "Framework for Providing All Students and Opportunity to Learn through Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act" was created by Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., National Council for Educating Black Children, National Urban League, Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Schott Foundation for Public Education.
http://naacp.3cdn.net/9b2fd98be3694cb716_2xm6btgji.pdf
More to come later! Time to rest and celebrate right now!
We know that we must work collectively to strengthen all aspects of DPS including an aggressive curriculum to include strong math and science, language and reading components; as well creating a code of standards for future DPS board candidates. We also believe that we must look into the possibly of having a paid board.
Opponents of Mayoral Control of DPS filled the council chambers while a handful of the Detroit Parent Network supporters resided in the overflow auditorium. Councilman Gary Brown's defeated resolution was supported by Councilpersons Saunteel Jenkins, Charles Pugh and of course Brown! Councilpersons Joann Watson, Ken Cockrel, James Tate, Brenda Jones, Andre Spivey and Kwame Kenyatta voted against the Mayoral Takeover measure. To the councilpersons who were on the right side of this very important issue, we thank you for standing up for the children and parents of Detroit.
See the blog's sidebar on the right for the new NAACP report on education. Click on "Head Office of NAACP Agrees We Should Fight For Free Public Education." Wait a few seconds and the PDF report called "Framework for Providing All Students and Opportunity to Learn through Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act" was created by Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., National Council for Educating Black Children, National Urban League, Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Schott Foundation for Public Education.
http://naacp.3cdn.net/9b2fd98be3694cb716_2xm6btgji.pdf
More to come later! Time to rest and celebrate right now!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS: CALL TO ACTION FOR JULY 29 AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
10:34 PM Wed Nite Update: Regarding tomorrow morning July 29... Detroit Parent Network to our knowledge plans to get into Council Chambers early. If you can be at the City County Building by 6:00 a.m. please go to the 13th floor as soon as the doors open.
We The People of Detroit must be present on Thursday July 29, 2010 for two City Council meetings. Location: 13th Floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building (called the City County Building) Corner of Woodward and Jefferson.
The first meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. We are asking that you arrive earlier than that.
If the meeting is adjourned, the second meeting may be scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
email: wethepeopledetroit@gmail.com to get updates.
NEWS REGARDING WE THE PEOPLE EFFORTS:
A SUCCESSFUL COLLECTIVE GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZING EFFORT TO STOP MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. OUT OF THE 250 PEOPLE IN OUR COLLECTIVE GROUP, OVER 110 PERSONS WHO SAY "NO" TO PLACING MAYORAL CONTROL ON THE BALLOT WERE HEARD BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IN SPITE OF THE NUMEROUS TIMES PRO-TEM GARY BROWN, COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH, COUNCIL MEMBERS SAUNTEEL JENKINS, ANDRE SPIVEY, JAMES TATE, WERE TOLD BY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITIZENS, AND AN ATTORNEY THAT ANY MOVE TO PLACE MAYORAL CONTROL IS IMPROPER, PRO-TEM BROWN PUSHED TO HAVE IT PLACED ON THE AGENDA ANYWAY.
HOW MANY TIMES DOES NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO BE TOLD THAT IF YOU PUT MAYORAL CONTROL ON THE BALLOT YOU WILL BE SUED?
THE ANSWER IS: IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU TELL THEM ONCE, TWICE, OR TWENTY TIMES. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU TELL THEM IN PERSON, PRIVATELY, OR THROUGH CALL IN RADIO SHOWS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF AN ATTORNEY TELLS THEM THEY WILL BE IN A LAWSUIT.
BY REPEATEDLY PUSHING TO GET THE ISSUE DISCUSSED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS REMINDERS THE MICHIGAN HOME RULES ACT OR THE CITY CHARTER DOES NOT ALLOW COUNCIL TO ACT IN AN ADVISORY MANNER TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT, CERTAIN COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOWED DETROITERS AND ALL OF THE NEWS AND MEDIA PEOPLE THAT WERE PRESENT, JUST WHAT DISREGARD FOR THE LAW LOOKS, SOUNDS, AND ACTS LIKE.
SO LETS SEE HOW MANY RULES CAN BE BROKEN---
IT WAS REVEALED IN YESTERDAY'S MEETING THAT PRO-TEM BROWN DID NOT FOLLOW CITY COUNCIL RULES CONCERNING WHAT GETS ON THE AGENDA TO BE DISCUSSED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OR WHAT IS IN PLACE TO GET AN ADDENDUM TO AN APPROVED AGENDA PROPERLY SUBMITTED.
COUNCILMAN KENYATTA TOLD PRO-TEM BROWN THAT HE WAS TRYING TO "CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME" AND THAT HE HAD JUST RECEIVED THE ISSUE OF PLACING MAYORAL CONTROL UP FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL, "FIVE MINUTES" BEFORE COUNCILMAN KENYATTA ENTERED THE MEETING.
COUNCILWOMAN BRENDA JONES INFORMED THE NEWER COUNCIL MEMBERS, CHARLES PUGH, SAUNTEEL JENKINS, GARY BROWN, JAMES TATE, AND ANDRE SPIVEY, THAT HER TASK FORCE MADE THE RULES FOR HOW COUNCIL CONDUCTS ITSELF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION, AND THAT IT APPEARED THAT THEY WANTED HER TO BREAK THE RULES THAT SHE HELPED TO ESTABLISH.
WHEN THE QUESTION WAS RAISED REGARDING HOW PRO-TEM GARY BROWN WAS ABLE TO GET THE MAYORAL CONTROL ISSUE PAST HIS OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, HE CITED A CHARTER RULE THAT ALLOWS 'EMERGENCY SITUATIONS" TO BE PUT DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO MAKE A DECISION.
SENIOR COUNCIL MEMBERS WATSON, KENYATTA, AND JONES ADMONISHED PRO-TEM BROWN FOR MIS-USE OF POWER AND INFLUENCE, AND, DISRESPECT OF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCERNING THE MATTER.
COUNCILWOMAN WATSON STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT A CITY "EMERGENCY" AND THAT THE DPS SITUATION WAS A MATTER OF THE STATE.
COUNCILMAN COCKREL WAS HELPFUL IN RAISING THE QUESTION OF A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT IF COUNCIL PUT THE MATTER ON THE BALLOT, OR, MOVED TO ADVISE IT TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT.
COUNCILMAN COCKREL ALSO ASKED WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LAWSUIT, IF CITIZENS SOUGHT TO SUE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. HE WAS TOLD BY AN ATTORNEY THAT "THERE IS A 100% CHANCE OF FACING A LAWSUIT."
THE ATTORNEY TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THE CITY OF DETROIT AND DPS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LAWSUIT, WHICH MEANS MORE OF DETROITERS' TAX DOLLARS WOULD BE WASTED ON AN ISSUE THAT DOESN'T NEED TO GO TO COURT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
MORE PROOF THAT THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS APPEAR TO NOT BE SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE VOTERS WHO VOTED FOR THEM--
PUGH, JENKINS, BROWN, TATE, AND SPIVEY AGREED THAT COUNCIL SHOULD CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH A GROUP OF OVER 110 CONCERNED RESIDENTS MADE OF ELDERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AGAINST MAYORAL CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS MADE THEMSELVES CLEAR BY SPEAKING OUT AND HOLDING UP "NO" SIGNS FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS.
MANY RESIDENTS TOLD NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THEY LIED BY SAYING THEY WERE FOR "THE CITIZENS." ELDERS TOLD NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THEY WERE ASHAMED AT THE WAY THEY WERE CONDUCTING THEMSELVES AND IT WAS APPARENT THEY WERE NOT SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THEM.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS STILL WANTED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO POWER TO DO SO ACCORDING TO THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE STATE AND CITY.
BY THE END OF THE DAY, THE ISSUE MUST GO THROUGH COUNCILWOMAN JONES' SPECIAL OPS COMMITTEE IN ORDER FOR COUNCIL TO DISCUSS IT. ANOTHER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE IS A MEDIA BLACK OUT CONCERNING GRASSROOTS EFFORTS ON THE FIGHT FOR FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RIGHT TO VOTE FOR AN ELECTED BOARD IN DETROIT, THE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSINGS, AND UNION BUSTING EFFORTS. THEREFORE, MOST MAJOR LOCAL NEWS PAPERS AND TV STATIONS ARE "SHAPING" WHAT YOU READ AND SEE BY NOT TELLING YOU THE ENTIRE TRUTH OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING BY COLLECTIVE GRASSROOTS FOLKS IN DETROIT. THE HOW AND WHY OF THE RESULTS OF GRASSROOTS EFFORTS ARE NOT REVEALED TO THE PUBLIC.
WE BELIEVE THE " 30,000 VOTERS" SIGNATURES THAT ARE FREQUENTLY MENTIONED BY NEWS SOURCES ARE A HOAX.
THE "30,000 VOTERS WANT MAYORAL CONTROL" WAS A STRATEGY THAT WAS USED TO PUT PRESSURE ON COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PUT MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE BALLOT.
THERE WAS NO DEADLINE OR PROPER FILING OF THE PETITIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE VERIFIED BY THE CLERK'S OFFICE. THAT IS WHY THEY WERE RUSHED IN AND BASICALLY "DUMPED" ON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INFLUENCE MEMBERS THAT APPEARED UNSURE ABOUT THE ISSUE.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE NEWS LINKS THAT REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND YESTERDAY. CLICK ON THE HEADLINE LINKS TO SEE THE ARTICLES. EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS BEING OMITTED FOLLOW A COUPLE OF LINKS.
"COUNCIL MEETING ON MAYORAL CONTROL GETS HEATED" WDIV CLICK ON DETROIT.
ANALYSIS: THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THE 30, 000 SIGNATURES FOR MAYORAL CONTROL WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK, AND, THAT COUNCILMAN COCKREL CONFIRMED THAT THE CITY CLERK DID NOT SEE THE PETITONS. THE NAMES ON THE PETITIONS WERE NEVER VERIFIED OR CERTIFIED. THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THOSE WHO SIGNED WERE NEVER VERIFIED AS BEING ACTUAL RESIDENTS OF DETROIT.
NEITHER DID THEY MENTION THAT AN AGENCY PAID $3.00 FOR EVERY SIGNATURE THAT WAS BROUGHT IN. SEE BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY (BAMN) PRESS RELEASE.
"COUNCIL FALLS SHORT IN VOTE..." THE DETROIT NEWS. THE ARTICLE SAYS "AFTER HOURS OF HEARING FROM RESIDENTS, THE COUNCIL FAILED..."
ANALYSIS OF THE WRITER'S SENTENCE: THEY FAILED TO SAY, "FROM RESIDENTS THAT OPPOSED MAYORAL CONTROL AND VOTED TO ELECT A SCHOOL BOARD" OR "FROM OVER 110 RESIDENTS THAT TOLD COUNCIL "NO" TO MAYORAL CONTROL"
THEY ALSO FAILED TO STATE THAT PERHAPS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY DID NOT GET A MAJORITY OF 6 VOTES WAS BECAUSE PRO TEM GARY BROWN TRIED TO SNEAK THE ISSUE ONTO THE DAY'S AGENDA AT THE LAST MINUTE AND INAPPROPRIATELY ADVANCED THE ISSUE DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH AND DISRESPECTED SENIOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"DETROIT COUNCIL CALLS FOR THURSDAY VOTE ON SCHOOL OVERSITE" FREE PRESS.
"DETROIT CITY COUNCIL FALLS SHORT IN VOTE TO PUT DPS MAYORAL CONTROL ON NOVEMBER BALLOT" CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS
WHEN YOU SEE THE WORD "VOTERS" IN A SENTENCE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE WORD IS USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT THAT SUPPORTS MAYORAL OR STATE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS.
"VOTERS" IS GENERALLY WRITTEN TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT ALL VOTERS WANT MAYORAL CONTROL WHEN MANY OF US OPPOSE MAYORAL AND STATE CONTROL, OPPOSE THE DESTRUCTION OF FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, AND OPPOSE TEACHER UNION BUSTING EFFORTS THAT LEADS TO MORE LOSS OF JOBS.
We The People of Detroit must be present on Thursday July 29, 2010 for two City Council meetings. Location: 13th Floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building (called the City County Building) Corner of Woodward and Jefferson.
The first meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. We are asking that you arrive earlier than that.
If the meeting is adjourned, the second meeting may be scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
email: wethepeopledetroit@gmail.com to get updates.
NEWS REGARDING WE THE PEOPLE EFFORTS:
A SUCCESSFUL COLLECTIVE GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZING EFFORT TO STOP MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. OUT OF THE 250 PEOPLE IN OUR COLLECTIVE GROUP, OVER 110 PERSONS WHO SAY "NO" TO PLACING MAYORAL CONTROL ON THE BALLOT WERE HEARD BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IN SPITE OF THE NUMEROUS TIMES PRO-TEM GARY BROWN, COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH, COUNCIL MEMBERS SAUNTEEL JENKINS, ANDRE SPIVEY, JAMES TATE, WERE TOLD BY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITIZENS, AND AN ATTORNEY THAT ANY MOVE TO PLACE MAYORAL CONTROL IS IMPROPER, PRO-TEM BROWN PUSHED TO HAVE IT PLACED ON THE AGENDA ANYWAY.
HOW MANY TIMES DOES NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO BE TOLD THAT IF YOU PUT MAYORAL CONTROL ON THE BALLOT YOU WILL BE SUED?
THE ANSWER IS: IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU TELL THEM ONCE, TWICE, OR TWENTY TIMES. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU TELL THEM IN PERSON, PRIVATELY, OR THROUGH CALL IN RADIO SHOWS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF AN ATTORNEY TELLS THEM THEY WILL BE IN A LAWSUIT.
BY REPEATEDLY PUSHING TO GET THE ISSUE DISCUSSED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS REMINDERS THE MICHIGAN HOME RULES ACT OR THE CITY CHARTER DOES NOT ALLOW COUNCIL TO ACT IN AN ADVISORY MANNER TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT, CERTAIN COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOWED DETROITERS AND ALL OF THE NEWS AND MEDIA PEOPLE THAT WERE PRESENT, JUST WHAT DISREGARD FOR THE LAW LOOKS, SOUNDS, AND ACTS LIKE.
SO LETS SEE HOW MANY RULES CAN BE BROKEN---
IT WAS REVEALED IN YESTERDAY'S MEETING THAT PRO-TEM BROWN DID NOT FOLLOW CITY COUNCIL RULES CONCERNING WHAT GETS ON THE AGENDA TO BE DISCUSSED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OR WHAT IS IN PLACE TO GET AN ADDENDUM TO AN APPROVED AGENDA PROPERLY SUBMITTED.
COUNCILMAN KENYATTA TOLD PRO-TEM BROWN THAT HE WAS TRYING TO "CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME" AND THAT HE HAD JUST RECEIVED THE ISSUE OF PLACING MAYORAL CONTROL UP FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL, "FIVE MINUTES" BEFORE COUNCILMAN KENYATTA ENTERED THE MEETING.
COUNCILWOMAN BRENDA JONES INFORMED THE NEWER COUNCIL MEMBERS, CHARLES PUGH, SAUNTEEL JENKINS, GARY BROWN, JAMES TATE, AND ANDRE SPIVEY, THAT HER TASK FORCE MADE THE RULES FOR HOW COUNCIL CONDUCTS ITSELF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION, AND THAT IT APPEARED THAT THEY WANTED HER TO BREAK THE RULES THAT SHE HELPED TO ESTABLISH.
WHEN THE QUESTION WAS RAISED REGARDING HOW PRO-TEM GARY BROWN WAS ABLE TO GET THE MAYORAL CONTROL ISSUE PAST HIS OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, HE CITED A CHARTER RULE THAT ALLOWS 'EMERGENCY SITUATIONS" TO BE PUT DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO MAKE A DECISION.
SENIOR COUNCIL MEMBERS WATSON, KENYATTA, AND JONES ADMONISHED PRO-TEM BROWN FOR MIS-USE OF POWER AND INFLUENCE, AND, DISRESPECT OF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCERNING THE MATTER.
COUNCILWOMAN WATSON STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT A CITY "EMERGENCY" AND THAT THE DPS SITUATION WAS A MATTER OF THE STATE.
COUNCILMAN COCKREL WAS HELPFUL IN RAISING THE QUESTION OF A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT IF COUNCIL PUT THE MATTER ON THE BALLOT, OR, MOVED TO ADVISE IT TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT.
COUNCILMAN COCKREL ALSO ASKED WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LAWSUIT, IF CITIZENS SOUGHT TO SUE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. HE WAS TOLD BY AN ATTORNEY THAT "THERE IS A 100% CHANCE OF FACING A LAWSUIT."
THE ATTORNEY TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THE CITY OF DETROIT AND DPS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE LAWSUIT, WHICH MEANS MORE OF DETROITERS' TAX DOLLARS WOULD BE WASTED ON AN ISSUE THAT DOESN'T NEED TO GO TO COURT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
MORE PROOF THAT THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS APPEAR TO NOT BE SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE VOTERS WHO VOTED FOR THEM--
PUGH, JENKINS, BROWN, TATE, AND SPIVEY AGREED THAT COUNCIL SHOULD CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH A GROUP OF OVER 110 CONCERNED RESIDENTS MADE OF ELDERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AGAINST MAYORAL CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS MADE THEMSELVES CLEAR BY SPEAKING OUT AND HOLDING UP "NO" SIGNS FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS.
MANY RESIDENTS TOLD NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THEY LIED BY SAYING THEY WERE FOR "THE CITIZENS." ELDERS TOLD NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THEY WERE ASHAMED AT THE WAY THEY WERE CONDUCTING THEMSELVES AND IT WAS APPARENT THEY WERE NOT SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THEM.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS STILL WANTED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO POWER TO DO SO ACCORDING TO THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE STATE AND CITY.
BY THE END OF THE DAY, THE ISSUE MUST GO THROUGH COUNCILWOMAN JONES' SPECIAL OPS COMMITTEE IN ORDER FOR COUNCIL TO DISCUSS IT. ANOTHER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE IS A MEDIA BLACK OUT CONCERNING GRASSROOTS EFFORTS ON THE FIGHT FOR FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RIGHT TO VOTE FOR AN ELECTED BOARD IN DETROIT, THE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSINGS, AND UNION BUSTING EFFORTS. THEREFORE, MOST MAJOR LOCAL NEWS PAPERS AND TV STATIONS ARE "SHAPING" WHAT YOU READ AND SEE BY NOT TELLING YOU THE ENTIRE TRUTH OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING BY COLLECTIVE GRASSROOTS FOLKS IN DETROIT. THE HOW AND WHY OF THE RESULTS OF GRASSROOTS EFFORTS ARE NOT REVEALED TO THE PUBLIC.
WE BELIEVE THE " 30,000 VOTERS" SIGNATURES THAT ARE FREQUENTLY MENTIONED BY NEWS SOURCES ARE A HOAX.
THE "30,000 VOTERS WANT MAYORAL CONTROL" WAS A STRATEGY THAT WAS USED TO PUT PRESSURE ON COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PUT MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE BALLOT.
THERE WAS NO DEADLINE OR PROPER FILING OF THE PETITIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE VERIFIED BY THE CLERK'S OFFICE. THAT IS WHY THEY WERE RUSHED IN AND BASICALLY "DUMPED" ON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INFLUENCE MEMBERS THAT APPEARED UNSURE ABOUT THE ISSUE.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE NEWS LINKS THAT REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND YESTERDAY. CLICK ON THE HEADLINE LINKS TO SEE THE ARTICLES. EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS BEING OMITTED FOLLOW A COUPLE OF LINKS.
"COUNCIL MEETING ON MAYORAL CONTROL GETS HEATED" WDIV CLICK ON DETROIT.
ANALYSIS: THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THE 30, 000 SIGNATURES FOR MAYORAL CONTROL WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK, AND, THAT COUNCILMAN COCKREL CONFIRMED THAT THE CITY CLERK DID NOT SEE THE PETITONS. THE NAMES ON THE PETITIONS WERE NEVER VERIFIED OR CERTIFIED. THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THOSE WHO SIGNED WERE NEVER VERIFIED AS BEING ACTUAL RESIDENTS OF DETROIT.
NEITHER DID THEY MENTION THAT AN AGENCY PAID $3.00 FOR EVERY SIGNATURE THAT WAS BROUGHT IN. SEE BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY (BAMN) PRESS RELEASE.
"COUNCIL FALLS SHORT IN VOTE..." THE DETROIT NEWS. THE ARTICLE SAYS "AFTER HOURS OF HEARING FROM RESIDENTS, THE COUNCIL FAILED..."
ANALYSIS OF THE WRITER'S SENTENCE: THEY FAILED TO SAY, "FROM RESIDENTS THAT OPPOSED MAYORAL CONTROL AND VOTED TO ELECT A SCHOOL BOARD" OR "FROM OVER 110 RESIDENTS THAT TOLD COUNCIL "NO" TO MAYORAL CONTROL"
THEY ALSO FAILED TO STATE THAT PERHAPS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY DID NOT GET A MAJORITY OF 6 VOTES WAS BECAUSE PRO TEM GARY BROWN TRIED TO SNEAK THE ISSUE ONTO THE DAY'S AGENDA AT THE LAST MINUTE AND INAPPROPRIATELY ADVANCED THE ISSUE DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH AND DISRESPECTED SENIOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"DETROIT COUNCIL CALLS FOR THURSDAY VOTE ON SCHOOL OVERSITE" FREE PRESS.
"DETROIT CITY COUNCIL FALLS SHORT IN VOTE TO PUT DPS MAYORAL CONTROL ON NOVEMBER BALLOT" CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS
WHEN YOU SEE THE WORD "VOTERS" IN A SENTENCE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE WORD IS USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT THAT SUPPORTS MAYORAL OR STATE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS.
"VOTERS" IS GENERALLY WRITTEN TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT ALL VOTERS WANT MAYORAL CONTROL WHEN MANY OF US OPPOSE MAYORAL AND STATE CONTROL, OPPOSE THE DESTRUCTION OF FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, AND OPPOSE TEACHER UNION BUSTING EFFORTS THAT LEADS TO MORE LOSS OF JOBS.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
At City Council Meeting, Make Public Comments: No To Mayoral Control of DPS
5:45 A.M. JULY 27, 2010
SAY: "NO TO MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS."
Detroit's concerned citizens that are against having the issue of mayoral control placed on the August or November 3, 2010 ballot are to meet THIS MORNING, JULY 27, 2010 AT 7:00 A.M.
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (The City - County Building) on Woodward and Jefferson 2 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48226.
ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE 13TH FLOOR AND SAY DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION:
WE DO NOT WANT MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. YOUR ADVISORY POSITION TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT IS ILLEGAL.
STOP THE ON-GOING EFFORT TO DISMANTLE AND DESTROY FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION SO YOU CAN HAVE PRIVATE FOR PROFIT INVESTORS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS EDUCATE DETROIT'S STUDENTS
WHY ARE WE PROTESTING EVERY TUESDAY?
BY THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND RULES OF THE CITY CHARTER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO ADVISE, MAKE A DECISION, OR ACT IN AN ADVISORY MANNER TO PUT MAYORAL CONTROL OR ANYTHING ELSE ON A BALLOT FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION ARE A MATTER OF THE STATE, NOT THE CITY. THIS FACT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO CURRENT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SEVERAL TIMES BY A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND BY CITIZENS WHO DO NOT WANT MAYOR CONTROL.
YESTERDAY ON A RADIO PROGRAM ON 1200 AM, CALLERS REMINDED COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH OF THE LEGAL FACTS AND HE KEPT REPEATING THAT THE ISSUE IS A CITY ISSUE.
IT IS NOT A CITY ISSUE. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDER STATE LAWS. THE ONLY REASON WHY THIS IS A CITY ISSUE IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT RESPECT THE VOTERS THAT CAST VOTES REGARDING CHOOSING THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO THEY WANT TO RE-VOTE OVER VOTES THAT HAVE BEEN CAST IN PAST ELECTIONS.
THE CITIZENS OF DETROIT ALREADY VOTED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO ELECT A SCHOOL BOARD!
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF DETROIT ARE TIRED OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE SENDING THE MESSAGE THAT OUR VOTES DO NOT COUNT EVERY TIME THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY BY PARTNERING WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS THAT WANT THEIR AGENDA'S PUSHED AND DEMANDS MET AFTER OUR LEGAL VOTES IN LEGAL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CAST AND COUNTED.
ASK YOURSELF: WHY ARE TEACHERS' UNIONS, CONCERNED PARENTS, AND STUDENTS FROM MOST FAILING SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE PROTESTING IN LANSING?
ASK YOURSELF OR MEET WITH OTHERS TO ASK:
spread the news!
IF ANOTHER DETROIT IS NECESSARY HERE IS ANOTHER CALL TO ACTION
Detroit's concerned citizens that are against having the issue of mayoral control placed on the August or November 3, 2010 ballot are to meet THIS MORNING, JULY 27, 2010 AT 7:00 A.M.
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (The City - County Building) on Woodward and Jefferson 2 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48226.
ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE 13TH FLOOR AND SAY DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION:
WE DO NOT WANT MAYORAL CONTROL OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. YOUR ADVISORY POSITION TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT IS ILLEGAL.
STOP THE ON-GOING EFFORT TO DISMANTLE AND DESTROY FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION SO YOU CAN HAVE PRIVATE FOR PROFIT INVESTORS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS EDUCATE DETROIT'S STUDENTS
WHY ARE WE PROTESTING EVERY TUESDAY?
BY THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND RULES OF THE CITY CHARTER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO ADVISE, MAKE A DECISION, OR ACT IN AN ADVISORY MANNER TO PUT MAYORAL CONTROL OR ANYTHING ELSE ON A BALLOT FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION ARE A MATTER OF THE STATE, NOT THE CITY. THIS FACT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO CURRENT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SEVERAL TIMES BY A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND BY CITIZENS WHO DO NOT WANT MAYOR CONTROL.
YESTERDAY ON A RADIO PROGRAM ON 1200 AM, CALLERS REMINDED COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES PUGH OF THE LEGAL FACTS AND HE KEPT REPEATING THAT THE ISSUE IS A CITY ISSUE.
IT IS NOT A CITY ISSUE. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDER STATE LAWS. THE ONLY REASON WHY THIS IS A CITY ISSUE IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT RESPECT THE VOTERS THAT CAST VOTES REGARDING CHOOSING THE SCHOOL BOARD. SO THEY WANT TO RE-VOTE OVER VOTES THAT HAVE BEEN CAST IN PAST ELECTIONS.
THE CITIZENS OF DETROIT ALREADY VOTED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO ELECT A SCHOOL BOARD!
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF DETROIT ARE TIRED OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE SENDING THE MESSAGE THAT OUR VOTES DO NOT COUNT EVERY TIME THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY BY PARTNERING WITH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS THAT WANT THEIR AGENDA'S PUSHED AND DEMANDS MET AFTER OUR LEGAL VOTES IN LEGAL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CAST AND COUNTED.
ASK YOURSELF: WHY ARE TEACHERS' UNIONS, CONCERNED PARENTS, AND STUDENTS FROM MOST FAILING SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE PROTESTING IN LANSING?
ASK YOURSELF OR MEET WITH OTHERS TO ASK:
WHY IS DETROIT THE ONLY CITY IN THE STATE THAT IS BEING FORCED OR COERCED INTO HAVING MAYORAL CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS WHEN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE ARE FAILING TOO?
WHY DOES DETROIT HAVE THIS PROBLEM: WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN THE STATE THAT EXPERIENCES CITIZENS VOTING AND WHEN SOMEBODY OR GROUP DOESN'T LIKE THE RESULTS OF THE COUNTED VOTES, FOLKS ARE ASKED TO RE-VOTE OVER WHAT HAS BEEN VOTED ON?
DO NOT BE FOOLED! PUBLIC EDUCATION, DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND ANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE ARE UNDER STATE LAWS THAT GOVERN EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. CITIZENS OF CITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR A SCHOOL BOARD.
( ISN'T THIS PART OF CHECKS AND BALANCES OF GOVERNMENT ?)
OTHER NEWS: YESTERDAY AT A LOCAL CHURCH, CLOSE TO 200 CONCERNED CITIZENS MET TO ORGANIZE AGAINST MAYORAL CONTROL OF THE SCHOOLS. AS PEOPLE GATHERED FOR THE MEETING, DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SECURITY OFFICERS FROM LOCAL 214, WHO WERE TRAINED BY THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT, PROTESTED AGAINST THE LOSS OF JOBS AND THE FACT THAT THEIR CONTRACT IS UP FOR GRABS TO THE LOWEST BIDDER. NOTE: DUE TO THE MEDIA BLACKOUT OF PROTEST EFFORTS BY CONCERNED CITIZENS PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE.
wethepeopledetroit@gmail.com
Friday, July 23, 2010
City Council Meeting: Public Comments-July 20, 2010, No To Mayoral Control of DPS
The City of Detroit website link for City Council Meetings is working.
To see the Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Public Comments session concerning "No To Mayoral Control of Detroit Public Schools" and very passionate comments by youth, educators, and community citizens
1. Click on the link below
2. Go to the "Recorded Brodcasts-click to play" window
3. Click "Formal Session" July 20, 2010 Chair Charles Pugh
The pop up video will appear. Put your mouse pointer at the bottom of the picture that appears to see the control bar.
Click the third button > ( the single arrow > ) . The video will start
http://apps.attainresponse.com/MediaF5/liveChannel.htm?presenterId=dcctv@comf5-com
To see the Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Public Comments session concerning "No To Mayoral Control of Detroit Public Schools" and very passionate comments by youth, educators, and community citizens
1. Click on the link below
2. Go to the "Recorded Brodcasts-click to play" window
3. Click "Formal Session" July 20, 2010 Chair Charles Pugh
The pop up video will appear. Put your mouse pointer at the bottom of the picture that appears to see the control bar.
Click the third button > ( the single arrow > ) . The video will start
http://apps.attainresponse.com/MediaF5/liveChannel.htm?presenterId=dcctv@comf5-com
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Urgent Call to Action! Oppose DPS Takeover Tuesday, July 20th
SHOW UP TO OPPOSE MAYORAL CONTROL OF DPS!
MAYORAL CONTROL SUPPORTERS PLAN TO PETITION CITY COUNCIL AGAIN AND WE MUST SHOW UP TO OPPOSE THEM!
ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 8:30 A.M. ON TUESDAY, JULY 20TH
@ CITY COUNCIL MEETING @ COLEMAN A. YOUNG CENTER
(13TH FLOOR -Travel light—building has airport-like security)
Ask for comment card when entering 13th floor & put your name on it even if you don’t want to speak — we can use that time for others who will!
PASS THE WORD TO OTHER "AUTHENTIC" DETROITERS WHO DON'T WANT TO BE COLONIZED & BULLIED BY BIG BUSINESSES & FOUNDATIONS!!
MAYORAL CONTROL SUPPORTERS PLAN TO PETITION CITY COUNCIL AGAIN AND WE MUST SHOW UP TO OPPOSE THEM!
ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 8:30 A.M. ON TUESDAY, JULY 20TH
@ CITY COUNCIL MEETING @ COLEMAN A. YOUNG CENTER
(13TH FLOOR -Travel light—building has airport-like security)
Ask for comment card when entering 13th floor & put your name on it even if you don’t want to speak — we can use that time for others who will!
PASS THE WORD TO OTHER "AUTHENTIC" DETROITERS WHO DON'T WANT TO BE COLONIZED & BULLIED BY BIG BUSINESSES & FOUNDATIONS!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Victory For Citizens At City Council Meeting Re: Mayoral Control of Detroit Public Schools
VICTORY FOR CONCERNED CITIZENS AGAINST MAYORAL CONTROL OF DPS
Between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. this morning, around 200 concerned citizens showed up for a Detroit City Council meeting about mayoral control of the Detroit Public Schools.
We The People and other groups that oppose mayoral control of the district showed the Council Members what strong democracy is about by turning out in numbers, showing support for Detroit School Board members that were present, and, reminding them of the importance of citizens' votes in the last election concerning the board.
The Council chamber was at full capacity by 9:15 a.m. while parents, students, and community group representatives that were against and for mayoral control, stood in the hall, and waited to be seated. Unfortunately, the speakers in the hall that are usually on for those who are waiting, was shut off.
A monitor was set up at the end of the 13th floor near the auditorium and citizens gathered there to hear testimony from Detroit School Board members and citizens that asked City Council Members to allow citizens to continue to vote for the school board. Within an hour, the monitor went off due to a defect in the transmission. Even though most people could not hear or see the testimonies and responses from Council members, most remained and waited to be called to speak during the "Comments" portion of the meeting.
In spite of the reported 30,000 plus uncertified signatures on petitions that were collected and presented to the Council by a group that is in favor of mayoral control of the schools, the opposition showed that our legally counted votes from a previous election gave us the power to elect a school board. After three hours of testimony, a victory was had.
Seven Council members were against mayoral control. A report from the Detroit Free Press can be found at the link below. Click on the link to see the story.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100713/NEWS01/100713012/1318/Council-shelves-DPS-control-vote&template=fullarticle
Between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. this morning, around 200 concerned citizens showed up for a Detroit City Council meeting about mayoral control of the Detroit Public Schools.
We The People and other groups that oppose mayoral control of the district showed the Council Members what strong democracy is about by turning out in numbers, showing support for Detroit School Board members that were present, and, reminding them of the importance of citizens' votes in the last election concerning the board.
The Council chamber was at full capacity by 9:15 a.m. while parents, students, and community group representatives that were against and for mayoral control, stood in the hall, and waited to be seated. Unfortunately, the speakers in the hall that are usually on for those who are waiting, was shut off.
A monitor was set up at the end of the 13th floor near the auditorium and citizens gathered there to hear testimony from Detroit School Board members and citizens that asked City Council Members to allow citizens to continue to vote for the school board. Within an hour, the monitor went off due to a defect in the transmission. Even though most people could not hear or see the testimonies and responses from Council members, most remained and waited to be called to speak during the "Comments" portion of the meeting.
In spite of the reported 30,000 plus uncertified signatures on petitions that were collected and presented to the Council by a group that is in favor of mayoral control of the schools, the opposition showed that our legally counted votes from a previous election gave us the power to elect a school board. After three hours of testimony, a victory was had.
Seven Council members were against mayoral control. A report from the Detroit Free Press can be found at the link below. Click on the link to see the story.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100713/NEWS01/100713012/1318/Council-shelves-DPS-control-vote&template=fullarticle
Friday, July 9, 2010
A Call to Action! Oppose Mayoral Takeover of DPS! Tuesday, July 13th @ 8:30 a.m.
DO NOT SIGN ANY PETITIONS ABOUT DPS! DO NOT GIVE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE! OUR PEOPLE DIED FOR OUR RIGHT TO VOTE!
SHOW UP BY 8:30 A.M. ON
TUESDAY, JULY 13TH
@ CITY COUNCIL MEETING @ COLEMAN A. YOUNG CENTER ON LARNED
(13TH FLOOR)
(Please travel light—building has airport-like security)
Ask for comment card when entering 13th floor & put your name on it even if you don’t want to speak — we can use that time for others who will!
PASS THE WORD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!
SAY NO
TO MAYORAL TAKEOVER
OF DPS!
“WE THE PEOPLE”...MUST STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN!!
SHOW UP BY 8:30 A.M. ON
TUESDAY, JULY 13TH
@ CITY COUNCIL MEETING @ COLEMAN A. YOUNG CENTER ON LARNED
(13TH FLOOR)
(Please travel light—building has airport-like security)
Ask for comment card when entering 13th floor & put your name on it even if you don’t want to speak — we can use that time for others who will!
PASS THE WORD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!
SAY NO
TO MAYORAL TAKEOVER
OF DPS!
“WE THE PEOPLE”...MUST STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN!!
Detroit’s Tea Party: The Mayoral Takeover Detroit Public Schools: Is This a National Trend Rooted in Racism?
Citizens of the city of Detroit have been under assault and seized by “giants in the land” since and before Mayor David Bing took office over a year ago. One of the most recent assaults found in a headline (July 4th) of the Michigan Citizen’s weekly newspaper, providing the only alternative view to the printed major media in Detroit reads, “Bing Seeks Control of Schools: To End Elected Board! Wealthy businessman and coalitions of large foundations with millions of dollars to spend have decided that Detroiters, tax paying citizens, should be disenfranchised and give up their right to elect their own leadership for the Detroit Board of Education (DPS)!
Racism at the Core
At the core of this movement lies racism, dressed up as the benevolent and responsible thing to do. This “movement” moving across many urban centers including New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago and now Detroit, infers that communities that are mostly poor and African American are incapable of effectively governing themselves, and that they should give up one of their most precious rights of citizenship, the right to vote! This is racist in nature, although clearly some African Americans are action agents to help push this agenda.
Racism/Classism: the use of political and economic power aimed at a group based on their race and class. These tactics have not been used in suburban areas with less than stellar outcomes!
Use of Media & Big Money to Get Their Way
The Mayoral Takeover group, “Our Kids Deserve Better Schools Committee” (committee members are still a secret) have a “campaign prospectus”, of which the mayor’s chief communications director indicates that she doesn’t know the source! Come on, Detroiters aren’t that stupid, although we have a 50% unemployment rate and a purported illiteracy rate of 40% or more. The Mayoral Takeover “campaign prospectus” and previous news reports & sound bites have lambasted the outcomes for DPS students and the issues of the DPS board have been sensationalized, statistics have been skewed, intended to shame and frighten the citizens. This “take over” group has commissioned “handlers” to produce the information needed to accomplish the takeover of DPS with one of the certain outcomes being privatization and eventually gentrification, if they are successful in this “coup” effort!
Detroiters Support Increased Graduation Rates & Test Scores
The one thing that I think most Detroiters would agree on with the “Mayoral Takeover” group is that graduation rates need to improve and achievement outcomes need to as well. However, the assaults and tactics that Detroiter’s have been enduring for quite sometime now is not justified! The “takeover group” missed their deadline of June 11th to legitimately get their issue of having voters give up their right to have an elected school board on ballot. Even after pooling over $2 million dollars to hire unemployed residents, who in many cases mislead residents to sign the petitions. Now they will approach the City Council to put it on the ballot anyway!
Local Major Media: A Partner in Takeover
The major local media uses headlines and sound bits to exploit unfortunate issues of some board members as one of the justifications to sway public opinion and beat Detroiters over the head with a “stick of shame”! This also serves to distract Detroiters from the real issue, of “We the People” the citizens of Detroit, taking responsibility to raise the bar for educational standards for ourselves, without having corporate and foundation interests dictating the shots from behind the scenes in many cases. What do you think? And what are you willing to do about it?
Racism at the Core
At the core of this movement lies racism, dressed up as the benevolent and responsible thing to do. This “movement” moving across many urban centers including New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago and now Detroit, infers that communities that are mostly poor and African American are incapable of effectively governing themselves, and that they should give up one of their most precious rights of citizenship, the right to vote! This is racist in nature, although clearly some African Americans are action agents to help push this agenda.
Racism/Classism: the use of political and economic power aimed at a group based on their race and class. These tactics have not been used in suburban areas with less than stellar outcomes!
Use of Media & Big Money to Get Their Way
The Mayoral Takeover group, “Our Kids Deserve Better Schools Committee” (committee members are still a secret) have a “campaign prospectus”, of which the mayor’s chief communications director indicates that she doesn’t know the source! Come on, Detroiters aren’t that stupid, although we have a 50% unemployment rate and a purported illiteracy rate of 40% or more. The Mayoral Takeover “campaign prospectus” and previous news reports & sound bites have lambasted the outcomes for DPS students and the issues of the DPS board have been sensationalized, statistics have been skewed, intended to shame and frighten the citizens. This “take over” group has commissioned “handlers” to produce the information needed to accomplish the takeover of DPS with one of the certain outcomes being privatization and eventually gentrification, if they are successful in this “coup” effort!
Detroiters Support Increased Graduation Rates & Test Scores
The one thing that I think most Detroiters would agree on with the “Mayoral Takeover” group is that graduation rates need to improve and achievement outcomes need to as well. However, the assaults and tactics that Detroiter’s have been enduring for quite sometime now is not justified! The “takeover group” missed their deadline of June 11th to legitimately get their issue of having voters give up their right to have an elected school board on ballot. Even after pooling over $2 million dollars to hire unemployed residents, who in many cases mislead residents to sign the petitions. Now they will approach the City Council to put it on the ballot anyway!
Local Major Media: A Partner in Takeover
The major local media uses headlines and sound bits to exploit unfortunate issues of some board members as one of the justifications to sway public opinion and beat Detroiters over the head with a “stick of shame”! This also serves to distract Detroiters from the real issue, of “We the People” the citizens of Detroit, taking responsibility to raise the bar for educational standards for ourselves, without having corporate and foundation interests dictating the shots from behind the scenes in many cases. What do you think? And what are you willing to do about it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)