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To: <March4EducationOrganizers@yahoogroups.com>
From: Marilyn Langlois <langlois-rine@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:57:37
Subject: [March4EducationOrganizers] Civil disobedience at WCCUSD school board meeting

Hello friends--

While showing support for the students at Downer who suffered from having
their teachers unnecessarily transfered, I was just arrested at the West
Contra Costa school board meeting.

A few insiders from Downer, March4Ed, and Richmond Greens were there (many couldn't because of flu, etc.).  The auditorium was packed, however, with
students, parents and the director and corporate board members of Making
Waves school that was applying for a Charter in the district.  They had just
concluded their presentation, when I announced I was making waves and sat
down right in front of the School Board president (Charles Ramsay, elected
earlier in the evening), holding two big signs that read: "Don't Punish the
Children, Keep our Teachers at Downer" and "Queremos Nuestras Maestras en
Downer". 

The School Board meeting was recessed and Board members, law enforcement and others spent half an hour trying to talk me into getting up and leaving.  I
said I'd leave at the conclusion of the meeting, or when the Board could
assure me that Ms. Jaeger and Ms. Prairie would be returned to Downer.
Meanwhile, March4Ed and other supporters explained to curious audience
members what was going on and what it was about.  They finally cleared the
hall, then two officers escorted me outside, gave me a citation and drove me
home.

The way things are going in the US on many levels, I feel that more and more
nonviolent non-cooperation with the established power structure will be
necessary.

peace, blessings and solidarity,
Marilyn