STUDENTS, NOT SUSPECTS: OPPOSE RANDOM SEARCHES

WHEREAS, students attend school for education and socialization; and

WHEREAS, students, especially in communities of color, are often treated with the presumption of guilt and their property is searched without probable cause, taking away valuable educational minutes and training students to become complacent about their rights; and

WHEREAS, random searches perpetuate and sustain the school-to-prison-to-deportation pipeline; and

WHEREAS, students deserve wraparound services, not an increased police presence in their schools:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers opposes random searches of students; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will publish an article on random searches and the harm they cause to school communities and the rights of students; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will provide model school board resolutions to challenge and prevent these degrading actions; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will relentlessly advocate for restorative justice philosophy and practices in our public schools and the funding necessary to make these programs effective.