MLK Day 2009, Walk Out!
Coe, Nathan J. (NJCOE)
At many schools and colleges, classes are held on MLK Day, while we are given days off on much more meaningless national holidays.
Animas SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) is calling on students and faculty around the nation to organize a mass walk-out for MLK Day 2009, Monday, January 19th, under the banner of "IF THEY WON'T GIVE US THE DAY OFF, WE'LL TAKE IT!", in conjunction with anti-racist events, rallies, concerts, film screenings, etc.
Students at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO will walk out of class at a predetermined (yet currently unannounced) time on Monday, January 19th, 2009, to attend events focusing on contemporary racism and the modern civil rights movement. We recognize that—even in the face of an Obama presidency—racism is alive and well in America, and that the Civil Rights Movement is not an isolated and long-past phase of American history, but rather a contemporary struggle still underway (Justice for Sean Bell!). We will RALLY AGAINST RACISM in front of Reed Library, by the flag pole. Bring signs, banners, placards, noise makers, etc.
We are calling upon multicultural groups on campus to organize independent events around these themes to give students multiple events to attend. Teachers are encouraged to simply cancel classes on MLK Day in solidarity with the walk-out, or just screen a film or hold a panel discussion during regular class time.
For more information, or to get involved, contact anima...@riseup.net