In a show of community unity, on Thurs. night Aug 23, 200 parents, teachers, students, and community members at Chicago's Social Justice High School (Sojo) denounced CPS-appointed interim principal and CPS Network staff for cutting AP classes and critical student programs, displacing core veteran teachers, disrespecting parents and community, destabilizing the school, and violating the values of the Hunger Strike that founded the school. Charging that CPS is trying to cut out the heart of Sojo's social justice mission, students led the parents and community members in chanting "where's the justice in social justice?"

TWO TEACHERS FIRED

At the end of the day on Friday, Aug. 24, the interim principal fired Angela Sangha and Katie Hogan, two veteran English teachers who have been with Sojo since the day it opened in Fall 2005.

SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE TO DEFEND SOJO, ITS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Parents, community members, students and teachers, backed by the CTU, are fighting back. Students are organizing to leaflet the community, starting Saturday (Aug 25). They need copying donated to distribute 1500 two-sided flyers. IF YOU CAN MAKE COPIES EMAIL TSJ ASAP. Stay tuned for next steps.

CALL CPS CEO BRIZARD
Call CEO Brizard at 312-553-1500 and demand the following:
1. Respect the LSC process and reinstate the recently fired principal Kathy Farr
2. Rehire all fired teachers and other personnel and return teachers and staff to their regular assignments
3. No reprisals/retaliation against students and teachers and staff

Born out of struggle and the struggle continues!

Check out article in Substance magazine on the meeting last night here. For more information, please download this flyer.

Here are videos from the community forum: