Scenes from Occupy the PEP

What a scene tonight at Brooklyn Tech High School in Fort Greene as thousands came out to fight the closure of 23 schools.  As the Bloomberg appointed Panel for Education Policy sat awkwardly on stage, students, parents, teachers, and community members sang, chanted, and attempted to render the public microphone inept in favor of the "people's mic."  Anyone who did not speak through the people's mic was booed, including several government officials.

When the students present decided to gather in the lobby and decide on what their next move would be.  Without any assistance they had their own general assembly and decided their objective was to take the mic.  As they attempted to re-enter the public meeting, they were stopped by the NYPD.  No one was allowed in and noone was allowed out.  After almost inciting a riot among energized students ready to rejoin the meeting, the NYPD stopped with their nonsense and let everyone back into the meeting.  The DOE could not explain why the students were not initially let back in.

Much of the anger and frustration comes over the failure of the public schools under Michael Bloomberg.  Recently released figures show that only 25 percent of those who graduate from NYC public schools are ready for college.  Only 13 percent of black and latino kids  Many feel that Michael Bloomberg has ignored the community who can best help him run the schools opting for a dictatorial type management style that has been ineffective.  

Another problem was the undemocratic process of closing the schools.  Since he became mayor, Bloomberg has closed 117 schools without any opposition from the P.E.P.  This is because the panel is appointed by Bloomberg.  Citizens tonight urged the panel to take the hand out of their back and do what is right from the students.  Carlos Ruiz, co-president of Manhattan High School Presidents Council, summed up many sentiments when he said, "it is all about money and politics.  Bloomberg shuts down a lot of schools to bring in charters that bring in a lot of money but they do not provide the services needed or accept all special education students.  Where are these kids going to go?  They are out in the streets or in jail and we as parents are not doing to take this anymore."

In the end the panel voted to close ALL 23 schools without any consensus from the public.  This was expected.  Regardless, the huge presence at the meeting accomplished a lot.  I'm not sure when the last time people were so energized over education.  Tonight's meeting must have sent a message to Michael Bloomberg and his panel that the people are ready to take back their schools.  Under the mayor's leadership the have been a failure.