We are reposting a call out for solidarity. Members of the Black community in Seattle have been holding space in the abandoned Horace Mann School building (owned by the Seattle Public Schools). Free classes for youth and childcare have been being offered throughout the summer. There are plans for much more, but Seattle Superintendent Banda is trying to keep an abandoned building empty by evicting those who are using the space.
There is a meeting with the Seattle Public Schools Board next Wednesday at 4:00PM at the John Stanford Center (2445 3rd Ave., Seattle). To sign up for public testimony, members of the public should e-mail boardagenda@seattleschools.org or call (206) 252-0040 and give their legal name, telephone number, e-mail address, and the topic they would like to address.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MORE-4-MANN/195014030579354
Website: http://umojapeacecenter.com
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A Seattle community is actively trying to protect its children from the school to prison pipeline.
They need your help Wed. 8/21 to stand with them at a Seattle School Board Meeting.
The black community around the Horace Mann Building at 24th and Cherry will attend a school board meeting with the Superintendent Banda in attendance at 4:00 pm to bring their plans and intentions.
On August 6th there was a confrontation. Superintendent Banda giving only 24 hours notice walked into the Horace Mann Building to confront the community that has been giving classes to its children this summer. The curriculum was devised by the community for the community to grow their children into positive, healthy members of society. They are mostly black, and the victims of the Seattle Public School school to prison track. These are people actively making the changes that the school is not making for them.
The building which has been abandoned by Seattle Public Schools for its use many years, has suddenly declared that it has been planning “since 2009” to do renovation for one year so that the old NOVA program can be brought back. That program will by SPS regulations be predominantly white and not meeting community goals. Mr. Banda insisted that the community leave the building by August 15th. With strong speech and tears the community fought back making the vent what many called the most heart wrenching event seen in years. Mr. Banda, in the face of such courage and determination, backed down and offered a small reprieve. The community is expected to leave by the 30th of the month.
In the meantime, the community has chosen to accept a meeting at the main office of the Seattle Public Schools, the John Stanford Building, on this Wednesday August 21st. As those of us who have had some experience know, that building is one of the most inaccessible to average people in Seattle government, and may weaken the ability for a turnout. Also the time is not conducive to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.working people’s schedules.
It may be a pivotal meeting for the black community to continue in peace and use the school it has created on its own time and funds to save its children. Mr. Banda, Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, is not recognizing the community or its educational needs, but we can be allies in this fight and are being asked to be there in support.
When: Wednesday, August 21st, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. School Board Meeting
If you wish to speak see directions below.
Where: John Stanford Center (2445 Third Ave., Seattle)
Driving Directions: Located at 3rd and Lander in Seattle, south of Safeco Field.
From I-5 south: Take Exit #164 – 4th Avenue South. Turn right on 4th Avenue South. Turn right on South Lander Street. Visitor parking lots are on Lander Street, 3rd Avenue South, and just north of the Stanford Center (enter off 3rd Avenue South).
From I-5 north: Take Exit #163 – Spokane Street. Turn right on 4th Avenue South and follow the directions above.
JUSTICE & EQUITY NOW!
MORE 4 MANN
END THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE
MORE 4 MANN!
WE ARE ALL TRAYVON
JUSTICE HERE & NOW
MORE 4 MANN
People can sign up to speak in support of ending the school to prison pipeline and/or of maintaining our community hub at Horace Mann via email or call in as early as 8:00 am on Monday before the meeting. From the school district website:
To sign up for public testimony, members of the public should e-mail boardagenda@seattleschools.org or call (206) 252-0040 and give their legal name, telephone number, e-mail address, and the topic they would like to address. (Since Seattle Public Schools is a public agency, this information will fall into the public domain.) If complete information is not provided, you will not be included on the list. Please note, only the person who will be providing testimony may request the spot.
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Below is a video created a couple years ago explaining some of the vision behind the More 4 Mann project:
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Black Orchid Collective 