(2 minute limit) (video clip)
Thank you so much to all of you for being here today.
My name is Melissa Marini Svigelj-Smith, and I am here today representing hundreds of thousands of education activists and advocates across this nation who are fighting for the schools ALL our children deserve.
We are here today to march for impeachment, and it is a patriotic cause. However, this isn’t just about impeaching Donald Trump. An impeachment would just land Mike Pence in the Oval Office and no one here wants that either.
No. This is also about the impeachment of a system that manifested the successful election of Donald Trump.
There is no doubt that our country is in a state of what I like to refer to as “electile dysfunction.” And how can those in power who oppress and disenfranchise maintain their power?
Part of their plan includes an attack on and starvation of the foundation of our democracy: our public schools.
They de-fund education and steal tax dollars to promote a for-profit education system, particularly in the urban neighborhoods of our most vulnerable citizens.
They demonize teachers and allow for conditions in our public schools that they would never accept for their own children.
We know that education is essential to human liberation. An uneducated or poorly educated populace is much easier to manipulate and control.
In the spirit of liberation, we fight for the impeachment of anyone who promotes oppressive practices in schools; practices forced upon us by Trump and his cabinet, and by legislators and corporations, without any regard for what is best for our children or for our country.
We demand that curriculum and classroom practices be culturally relevant, comprehensive, engaging, challenging, and promote critical thinking,
We call for an end to harsh zero tolerance policies and the policing of our children, and instead call for the implementation of restorative practices that do NOT disproportionately put children of color on the school-to-prison pipeline.
We call for the impeachment of any public official who does not support bills or amendments that equitably and fully fund education – NOT mass incarceration or deportation.
Yes, we are gathered here today to demand impeachment, but I plead with all of you to remain vigilant and diligent in the fight for our public schools. They are the keys to liberty and justice for all, and we cannot salvage our democracy without them.
Are our children being taught what democracy looks like?
THIS is what democracy looks like!
Are our children being taught what democracy looks like?
THIS is what democracy looks like!
Melissa Marini Švigelj 