Student Walkout May 1, 2007!

Walking out of school does not attack the reason for these blood for oil wars, namely the profits of the war profiteers. Only a labor strike can do that. Public school education was won by labor and must not be rejected as the ruling class can hardly wait to shut down all the workingclass schools. As to immigration, that too is a labor issue and it was the labor strike of May 1, 2006 that ended the reactionary immigration bills in Congress as the labor strike threatened the profits of the entire agricultural and meatpacking industries and many urban businesses, such as restaurants and construction. Considering the crisis in the schools in terms of poor physical facilities, inadequate supplies and books, low teacher salaries and the like, it is long overdue that this group demand better schools for the workingclass, an end to skimming the cream off the top of the funds to pay administrative salaries (the superintendent at the Hayward schools where the teachers are on strike receives $250,000 a year, and he is taking a vacation during the strike), and demand that the state legislature pay for the schools not with property taxes but with the progressive income tax, better known as tax the rich, those who make over $200,000 a year, and they should raise the taxes on the rich instead of cutting them, which the Democrats and Republicans have been doing. To reject education is reactionary and you are certainly not threatening any profits, the cause of all these wars.

As a mechista and child of immigrant laborers, I am in sympathy with the student movement. I've participated and even organized such movements at school by myself. Its not easy being Chican@s, we all know this, but simply walking out is not the answer. if you want to walk out, go ahead. JUST KNOW WHAT YOUR WALKING OUT FOR. Don't walk out just to say that you did it. this is an incredibly important issue that cannot be ignored. also please, PLEASE dont go running around like chickens with their heads cut off. this only serves to discredit us and makes us look ingnorant. Above all stay safe and use common sense.

The walk-outs that took place on May 1, were probably the biggest one anyone has ever seen. States united to stand up for a reason and a good reasons too. they did it for there families and friends who are being attacked for being Immigrants. My parents were immigrants and now they are legal citizens and im happy for them! and I hope that everyone gets a chance to help their families and friends in what ever way they can. If we stand together and use our voice there is no telling what latinos can do!