On Friday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m., a peaceful protest against Governor Cuomo’s attack on our communities, schools and teachers will take place. Participants will be walking on the sidewalks on Merrick Road/Montauk Highway, wearing red to bring attention to the state’s intentions to privatize our schools.
Over 5,000 people have been invited to this event which started with two moms (also teachers), who wanted to bring attention to this very real threat. Via Facebook the event entitled “Paint Merrick Road Red for Public Ed” (the creators are art teachers), has been shared in numerous groups, and with teachers unions as well as opt-out movement pages. The idea is that people who are unhappy with Cuomo’s demands, and monetary contributions to corporations, in lieu of funding our schools, wearing red will walk the sidewalks of Merrick Road/Montauk Highway from Lynbrook to Islip and beyond. The location was chosen to bring the most attention to the cause and to force those who are unaware to question.
Presently over 300 people have responded with interest to attend, and the numbers of possible attendees are growing by the day. Social media has played a major role in spreading the word, and is also helping to educate participants. Concerned Massapequa moms Cara Palermo-Martin and Amanda Christianson-Rummenie are taking a stand to let Cuomo and all of the south shore of Long Island know that they want to keep local control and maintain children’s rights to education.
For more information about this event, visit www.facebook.com/events/1585127565038545/ and join the group “Long Island Parents for Public Education” on Facebook as well. Contact Cara at carascott2@yahoo.com or Amanda at manateelb@aol.com.
