OFFICIAL ACTION for Tuesday, August 28, 2018
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is considering allowing states to use Federal school enrichment funds to buy guns for teachers. Please help stop this misguided diversion of educational resources.
The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (“ESSA”) is a $1 billion grant program which helps the country’s poorest schools provide a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for learning, and improve the use of technology for digital literacy. Secretary DeVos is weighing whether to allow school districts to use the grants for firearms and firearm training. DeVos has discretion to implement the new policy unless Congress clarifies the law or bans such funding through legislative action. Read more
President Trump believes arming teachers will stop school shootings. If you think teachers should teach, not train for combat, here’s what you can do.
ACTIONS
Contact Secretary DeVos
Sample comment: “My name is ____________ from Seattle, WA. I strongly oppose the use of education grants to buy guns for teachers. There is no evidence this will improve school safety, and it diverts essential educational resources from underserved students.”
(202) 401-3000 @BetsyDeVosED https://www.facebook.com/ED.gov/
Contact Washington Senators
Sample comment: “My name is ____________ from Seattle, WA. I strongly oppose the new policy of Betsy DeVos, which would let schools use education grants to buy guns. There is no evidence this will improve school safety, and it deprives underserved students of essential resources. Please join Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal to stop this outrage.”
Senator Patty Murray: (202) 224-2621 @PattyMurray https://www.facebook.com/pattymurray/
Senator Maria Cantwell: (202) 224-3441 @SenatorCantwell https://www.facebook.com/mariacantwell/
Thank Washington State’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal
(360) 725-6000 @waOSPI https://www.facebook.com/waOSPI
Sample comment: “My name is ____________ from Seattle, WA. Thank you for your recent statement that you ‘will not authorize, permit, or distribute any resources to support efforts to arm teachers.’ I applaud your position. Please continue your work to keep Washington schools gun-free zones.”
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Event: Resist Trump Tuesday
Tuesday, 8/27/18
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Henry M. Jackson Federal Building
915 2nd Ave, Seattle, Washington 98104
We will join in solidarity with #Hungry4Justice Families Belong Together and Free. We will meet at our regular time and location, then march over to the ICE office together… again!
