Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools Launches National Campaign to Build Schools, Not Walls

DEARBORN, Mich.—On Tuesday, the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, along with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, 482Foward, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, and other community and parent groups, launched their two-week campaign to “Build Schools, Not Walls.”

“The Build Schools, Not Walls campaign is our way of connecting two critical struggles and movements, at a time when division and hate flows from the White House and from statehouses and city halls across America,” said AROS Executive Director Keron Blair. “Instead of building a wall that will cost countless billions, Donald Trump should invest that money in schools where all children—no matter their creed, color or citizenship status—can feel safe, respected and loved, and have the support, tools and time to learn.”

The multifaceted campaign, which is being coordinated by AROS, the AFT and the NEA, will include a variety of digital, in-person and community actions. A main component of the campaign will be a nationwide day of action on May 1; organizers are estimating that more than 100,000 people at more than 2,000 schools in 200 cities will take part in the day of action.

“We need to make strong investments in our public schools, places where all students are welcomed and loved,” said Dingell. “Sadly, we have seen the failed policies of Betsy DeVos in effect Michigan. This campaign is about investing in early childhood education, teacher training and after-school programs. The Trump budget slashes funding and sends our nation backward. This campaign is about fighting tooth-and-nail to block any policy that will hurt our students or their families.”

The launch was held at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, which is located in one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse ZIP codes. As part of the launch, members of the alliance toured several English language learner classrooms, and met with educators responsible for the school’s groundbreaking restorative justice programs.

“We do this work because we love children and we want to help all children succeed. We do this work because we understand that public education is the foundation of our democracy and the propeller of our economy. That is what this campaign is about,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Instead of having an education agenda that is the economic engine of our country, all we see from Trump and DeVos are proposals that slash and burn America’s public schools. We can’t undo what Betsy DeVos did in Michigan, but we can and must stop her from doing it across the country.” 

“Trump’s destructive agenda and rhetoric have been hurting students since he began his campaign,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia. “Educators are proud to stand for schools where students feel safe, supported and loved, and against walls that will only further divide us.” 

“This campaign is about sending a strong message that we are united in defending our public school system. We don’t want the misguided policies imposed by Betsy DeVos,” said Gloria Rosas of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, a coalition member of 482Forward. “We are here to tell President Trump that we won’t allow him to destroy the public schools that we have worked so hard to create.”