Voice of Revolution

Albany Protest

Equal Rights for All! Full Funding Now

Buffalo sent three busloads of people to Albany on January 12, joining more than 1000 people from all over the state to defend the right to education and demand Full Funding Now. One busload was parents, students and teachers mainly from MST, as well as Burgard, Bennett and Hamlin Park (74), who stood together for rights. Another was mainly youth working with Stop the Violence Coalition and a third was filled by Citizen Action, a main organizer of the event. A large delegation from Make the Road New York, which also defends immigrant rights, was present, enlivening the action with their chants. All demanded that the state take action now to keep public schools public and raise the quality of public education for all. The action was also part of launching #MoralMondays in New York, with the Reverend Barber of North Carolina a keynote speaker.

New York State, by court order, still owes the public schools about $6 billion in funds as part of providing Equal Rights for All. Cuomo and the legislature are ignoring this, meaning their actions are illegal but going unpunished. As well, the difference between funding for wealthier school districts and poorer school districts — like Buffalo — has increased, meaning inequality and segregation are intensifying.

Governor Cuomo is planning to make the situation even worse by appointing an education “czar” or King, to rule over school districts statewide, including eliminating elected school boards. The action in Albany, like those locally, served notice that the people say NO! Full Funding Now! And they are increasingly taking the stand that what is needed is Public Control of Public Schools!

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An Empowering Protest Demanding Our Rights

Niasha Hamilton, Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory School (MST)

Before January 12th I was not aware of the start of #MoralMondays until it recently hit New York State. I was not aware of the hard work people all across the country, from North Carolina to Georgia, were putting in to make a significant change. On January 12th I saw first-hand what coming together as not only a community but as a state can do.

This was my first experience with #MoralMondays and it was nothing but interesting, impressive and mostly empowering. As a senior in high school, I began to become less optimistic with the school system and community because I believed no one truly cared, no one was fighting for it and on top of that, we did not have a loud enough voice. On January 12th, the optimistic feeling that I had that was nearly extinct, was revived by the amazing reassuring protest that brought all of NYS together.

The voice I used to believe was not loud enough, now shook the floors of the State Capital as we protested on the Million Dollar Staircase for all to hear. Chants were yelled, speeches were given, and poems were read to demand our rights, money to fund schools and a better education. As I looked around the staircase the hope and faith in the school system and community started to build up inside of me. I have never in all my years of living seen not only adults but students of all races, genders and religions come together and peacefully fight for a better education.

“Ain’t no power like the power of the people because the power of the people don’t stop!” This is the chant that echoed throughout the building on our way out, reminding the State Senate, Assembly and Governor Como that if there is not a change, if our schools are not properly funded and if our education is not a priority, we will not stop until it is. January 12th was the day I learned that there is always someone fighting and someone who truly cares whether it is just one person or one thousand people, which is why I will keep my hope and faith for eternity.

The power of the people is a strong, encouraging tool that cannot and will not be silenced. Even when you think that there is no one that truly cares and no one is fighting for a change, remember that the power of the people does not stop. Even when it seems like the protesting has faded and the newspapers change the subject, remember that the power of the people does not stop. Even when you believe that our voice is not loud enough to make a difference, remember that the voice of the people is loudest whether it is just one person or one thousand people, because the power of the people does not stop.

(Niasha Hamilton is a High School Senior, Class of 2015 at Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory School — MST)

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