In October 2014, the School Reform Commission of Philadelphia voted to terminate the labor contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, requiring educators to pay pricey health care premiums each month. Just two days after the threat of limiting teacher benefits was announced, students from Science Leadership Academy in Center City (SLA) organized a strike to protest the decision and advocate for teachers’ rights in the District. Teens from the Philadelphia High School of the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) joined the movement as students peacefully left their Wednesday morning classes to hit the streets with signs and student voices demanding a change. (Klein, 2014)
In December 2014, SLA students hosted a die in, where teens across Philadelphia joined to protest police brutality and injustices for Mike Brown and Eric Garner. Students gathered in the halls to lie on the floor in silence for 4 minutes, representing the 4 hours Brown was left to die after being fatally shot by police. (6abc Action News, 2014)
In December 2014, SLA students hosted a die in, where teens across Philadelphia joined to protest police brutality and injustices for Mike Brown and Eric Garner. Students gathered in the halls to lie on the floor in silence for 4 minutes, representing the 4 hours Brown was left to die after being fatally shot by police. (6abc Action News, 2014)
Both protests last year were met with tremendous admiration and support from communities in Philadelphia. SLA students started a social media campaign, #StudentsforTeachers, in response to District budget cuts that received widespread attention. Local news networks rushed to school campuses across Philly to capture the student walk outs and die ins that were inspired by the students at SLA, who over the years have demonstrated leadership and active participation when it comes to addressing social justice issues. One teacher attributes her students’ passions to the ethic of care that she says is an “integral part of the school community, where students and staff alike value humanity, diversity, and justice for all in our society.”
6abc Action News. (2014). Teenage Students Stage ‘Die-In’ Protests at 3 Philadelphia Schools. WPVI-TV Philadelphia, PA. Retrieved from http://6abc.com/society/teens-stage-die-in-protests-at-3-phila-schools/423793/
Klein, Rebecca. (2014). Philadelphia Students Walk Out Of Class to Protest Canceled Teachers Contract. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/philadelphia-student-protest-contracts_n_5954922.html
Klein, Rebecca. (2014). Philadelphia Students Walk Out Of Class to Protest Canceled Teachers Contract. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/philadelphia-student-protest-contracts_n_5954922.html