Students, teachers, parents and local union members marched Wednesday through Coney Island to protest state and city budget cuts to education.
The coalition was made up of approximately 70 people who braved the wind and cold.
Under the banner of “Budget Cuts Hurt Our Schools”, Mike Schirtzer, the organizer and a History teacher at Leon M. Goldstein High School, said that the march was “a pro-student rally.” Schirtzer said that his school has had to eliminate many after-school programs, advanced placement classes, and just the number of classes in general. “Students have holes in their schedules in the middle of the day, and they don’t get four-years worth of math and science” he said.
Students were the most vocal. Changing the lyrics to an old Twisted Sister song, they sang, “You can’t cut our budget anymore!”.
One of the singers turned bright red when another student recorded her with her phone.
Jessica Kallo, a 16-year old who attends Goldstein High School, complained in particular about the budget for science and math classes. “Our high school focuses on math and science. It’s absurd that that’s what they’re cutting!” she said.
She was worried that this might damage her application to college.
“We want to raise awareness,” said Kit Wainer, a social studies teacher. “There is a [state] legislature meeting in spring [about the education budget], and Mayor Bloomberg has already announced more budget cuts.”
The march was peaceful and protesters were upbeat. The march started at the corner opposite of Nathan’s restaurant, near the boardwalk, and ended in front of Abraham Lincoln High School, where a small rally was held.
Upon arrival, a small stepladder was brought out and representatives from different groups took turns speaking. Almost all of the protestors wore bright orange stickers on their shirts. “Some cuts don’t heal,” read the stickers. A few students from Lincoln High joined the event.
Howard Schoor, Brooklyn Representative for the United Federation of Teachers, said that the budget for local public schools has been cut 13 percent over the last three years and that about 7,000 teachers in New York City have been laid off. “They say ‘cutback’, we say ‘fight back’,” he shouted through a megaphone. He said that this struggle was part of a larger one, and made a passing reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Members of the Transport Workers Union (Chapters 100 and 101) were also present. The representatives from the 101 pledged the support of their 1,500 members to the coalition. Tim Schermerhorn, from Local 100 and a protest veteran, called it “the beginning of a long struggle.”
The last speaker was Farin Kautz, 23, a student at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College. Kingsborough teachers and students have been participating in ongoing protests against tuition increases.
“It’s ironic… While you’re getting your budget cut, we’re getting tuition hikes,” Kautz told the crowd.
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