City teacher’s union flexes muscle at rally

More than 1,000 teachers, students and union supporters rallied outside the Philadelphia School District's headquarters Monday afternoon against proposed budget cuts and in solidarity with an outspoken teacher who has been targeted for firing.

Supporters chanted pro-union slogans and held up signs that declared: "We Will Not Be Silenced" and "Egypt, Tunisia, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, We Want Democracy."

Jerry T. Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, spoke out against plans to convert public schools into charter schools, as well as "for the end of intimidation teachers and students" by the district.

"This is only the beginning of a very, very difficult battle that we're going to have ahead of us for the next several months," Jordan told the gathering outside the 440 N. Broad St. building.

"440, The Real Broad Street Bullies," read one sign in the crowd.

"If we don't stand up and we don't fight for what is right, then democracy is dead in this country," said Ted Kirsch, Pennsylvania president of the American Federation of Teachers.

There were frequent mentions of Wisconsin, where Republican Gov. Scott Walker has spearheaded a push to eliminate collective-bargaining rights for public employees.

"We are the ones who turn our schools around," said activist Helen Gym. "We are not the enemy."

She also said the rally "is about Hope," referring to Hope Moffett, who the district is trying to fire.

Moffett, who attended the rally but did not speak, has publicly criticized the district's plans to turn Audenried High School over to Kenny Gamble's Universal Cos. Inc. top convert to a charter school.

The district alleges she endangered students by giving them SEPTA tokens to attend a demonstration and that she disclosed to reporters a document that the district wanted to keep confidential.

After the rally, Moffett said she felt a little awkward about being a focus of attention, but that she was moved by the large public showing by the union.

"I think that the number of teachers showing up was powerful," Moffett said.

Sandra Dillon, 71, attended the rally although she has been retired for five years. A school teacher for 43, Dillon wanted to express discontent with the public school administration and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.

"I'm afraid that Ackerman is on her way to destroying public schools," Dillon said. "Vouchers and charter schools are divisive; they only take the children they want to take. Now that we have all these charter schools we're getting more and more separate. Ackerman gets extra money . And as much as I like Obama, he's adding fuel to the fire."

Sheila Williams, 55, has taught at Duckery Elementary School for 24 years.

"I am here because after 24 years of teaching I still don't have the respect due to an educator whose children make progress, an educator who comes early and leaves late voluntarily," she said.

She added that the disciplinary action taken against Moffett was a "disgrace. She has my 100 percent support. A teacher is always a teacher, and this is a civics lesson."