Chicago teachers hit picket lines, shift to rallies at colleges
Source: Chicago Tribune
After spending Friday morning on the picket lines, some Chicago Public Schools teachers headed to college campuses to join allied forces in protest of budget cuts and the lack of state funding for education as part of the "Day of Action," which will culminate in an afternoon rush-hour rally at the Thompson Center in the Loop.
Classes were canceled Friday for the more than 300,000 public school students because of the one-day walkout. Instead, teachers and their supporters marched in front of their schools before moving on to college campuses feeling the same budget pinch, offering chants, playing instruments and pumping signs — one offering the ultimate Chicago slam: claiming Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel use ketchup on their hot dogs. All of it aimed at drawing attention to the failed contract negotiations between the union and CPS as well as the budget stalemate in Springfield that could further cripple the already cash-strapped school system.
Dozens of demonstrators led by college students and the city's young activists stood united with Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, teachers and supporters of community organizations to push for state funding at Chicago State University on the Far South Side. The public university has declared a state of financial emergency and faces layoffs of its employees.
"This is a day that Chicago State's budget is in jeopardy, but the Cook County jail budget is secure," Jackson said.
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-walkout-0401-20160331-story.html
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