What a day!
Hundreds of Mississippi parents, students, and educators crowded into the Capitol today to rally in support of public schools. Congratulations to rally organizers – and thank you – for a fantastic event! And kudos to all those who took time from your spring break vacation to travel to Jackson to stand up for our children! A veteran Capitol reporter estimated the crowd size at around 500 – remarkable! See press coverage of today’s rally here.
If you weren’t able to make it to the Capitol today, you can still do your part. Text, call, and email your legislators and ask that they stand with us to ensure that the public is given “a seat at the table” – ample time to review, assess, and respond to any proposed changes to the school funding law.
While you’re at it, remind them that public tax dollars are for the public good, and they should never be used to support private academies that routinely deny admission to students whom they don’t want to serve. Ask your legislators to vote no on HB 1046 and any other voucher bills that come before them. Public dollars are for public schools, where the doors are open to all students.
Find contact information for your legislators.
Capitol Switchboard: 601.359.3770
Share the same message with Lt. Governor Reeves and Speaker Gunn:
Lt. Governor Reeves Capitol: 601.359.3200
Speaker Gunn Capitol: 601.359.3300
In the next two weeks, final votes will be taken on bills that will have a significant impact on our children and our public schools. Privatization forces are pulling out all the stops to convince legislators to diminish funding for public schools and to funnel scarce tax dollars into their academies. Legislators need to hear from you!
Today’s rally crowd was evidence of the broad support for public schools in Mississippi! Those who came to Jackson today found a soul mate in businessman and former Tupelo mayor Jack Reed, Jr., whose voice rose above our cheers as he declared, “We’re putting a fresh log on the fire that burns for public education. And that fire is not going to go out because we who love our state cannot let it go out. So let’s give our warm support to the many legislators, like those here, who already support our schools. And let’s keep flames of light to help those who do not yet see our light. And together, let’s keep the flame alive, keep the flame alive!”
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