FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles-Thousands of teachers will join a massive group of concerned citizens next week to protest Governor Schwarzenegger's broken promises to schools, his attacks on the working people of this state as "special interests," and his impending call for a wasteful $80 million special election. Riding buses and trains from as far north as San Luis Obispo and as far south as San Ysidro, educators are traveling to Los Angeles to protect their students and to make their voices heard on May 25.
The rally, sponsored by the Alliance for a Better California, is one of two huge protests taking place next Wednesday in Los Angeles and Sacramento.
"Teachers are joining with parents, firefighters, nurses and many others who are fed up with this governor's broken promises and his plans for a wasteful $80 million special election that favors special interests," said Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 335,00 member California Teachers Association. "These rallies in Sacramento and Los Angeles are sending the message that the governor isn't fighting special interests, he's fighting us."
Assignment Editors: Check with your local CTA affiliate office for additional local stories related to the rally and the effect of the governor's broken promises on area schools. Among the outlying areas that are participating in Wednesday's rally:
San Bernardino: CTA members, classified employees and parents from Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Barstow, Victor Union, and Victor Elementary districts will ride the 2:00 p.m. Metrolink train from San Bernardino to Union Station and then head for Pershing Square. Teachers will be carrying signs urging the Governor to leave Proposition 98 alone. Contact Jake Anderson at (760) 243-3691 for more information.
Santa Maria and Santa Barbara: Five buses will carry CTA members to the rally, while others will make the long drive to Los Angeles and back themselves. Contact Ken Stevens (Santa Barbara) at (805) 453-8298 or Lisa Walters (Santa Maria) at (805) 895-5333
San Diego: The San Diego Education Association is sending at least 3 busloads of SDEA members to the rally. Other teachers will participate in cell phone parties that day, where they will contact legislators urging them to oppose the governor's special election plans and his attacks on schools. Encinitas teachers will rally and picket along busy El Camino Real. Contact Frank Caso at (858) 683-3990.
Greater Los Angeles Area: Many participants will be taking the Metrorail system, still others will come by bus, and commuters will park at Dodger Stadium. United Teachers Los Angeles is expected to have at least 1500 members attending and has been promoting the event heavily within the city. Radio ads promoting the event have been running on the local Air America affiliate, KTLK1150. UTLA contact: Steve Blazak (213) 487-5560.
What: Huge Rally and Protest Against Governor Schwarzenegger's Special Election.
When: Wednesday, May 25, 2005, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Pershing Square (6th and Olive Streets) in Los Angeles.
Visuals: Protestors, entertainment, signs, thousands of people.