February 21, 2003
SAA to Hold 'Liberation School' During Closures
What follows is a verbatim repost of an item posted to Portland IndyMedia Center on Thursday:
What: Student Activist Alliance to hold Liberation School during furlough days
When: Monday, February 24, 2003
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Smith Building, Ballroom 355, Portland State University. SW Broadway Avenue, Portland.
The Student Activist Alliance (SAA) is a grassroots organization run and organized by and for Portland Public School students. Organizers of the recent walkouts, sit-ins, and protests related to the cuts being made to the school budget, the SAA is currently organizing a free school, called the Liberation School, to supplement public education during the days lost due to budget cuts. In the event that the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) strike, the school will be in operation for the duration of the strike. The Liberation School will be open for students in Elementary, Middle and High School, and will be taught by schoolteachers, parents, responsible students, community members and anyone willing to donate a portion of their time to the future taxpayers of the city.
The SAA is holding an Open Forum/Workshop on Monday, February 24, 2003, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Smith Building of Portland State University, Ballroom (rm. 355). This forum will inform prospective parents and community members about the efforts of the SAA to create, in a short period of time, a safe place for students to go once school has prematurely ended. The Liberation School is seeking a location and community members who are willing to teach classes or help out in anyway.
"We hope that we get lots of people from across the city to attend the forum, as it is one of the only ways we can get this important message across to everyone who could be involved in the Liberation School." States SAA member Jesse Hannan.
"I just hope that people are willing to give up a couple hours to this project. People underestimate the power of students. We are the future of the city, but we need people to pay attention to what we are doing in order to get anything done. We have had a great response so far, and it appears that the Liberation School will be a fantastic project. Kids have no place to go during this time, and we can offer them somewhere that’s safe and welcoming, free of charge," says SAA member Petra Spencer.
The forum will be a starting point for what is to be a long term network of people working throughout the city to get this school up and running by the time of the strike or furlough days.
I'm publishing this item in full because I have a soft spot for the work SAA has been doing. And also because, unfortunately, I won't be able to make this meeting since I will be watching a friend's two-year-old that evening.
Comments (2)
Elaine on 22 Feb 2003
Have you considered volunteering to work with the students at the Liberation School -- facilitate discussions about social/ethical issues?
The One True b!X on 22 Feb 2003
Well, I intend to stay in the loop in case there's something I feel I can contribute.