PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

PAPPY holds rally to oppose educational funds being transferred to support war effort
by Ian Sullivan Saturday, Mar. 08, 2003 at 12:58 PM
stuff47@hotmail.com

On March 5th, in conjunction with the National Student Strike, Pittsburgh area students held a walkout and rally to protest educational funds being used to support a war with Iraq.

On Wednesday, March 5th Pittsburgh area students joined thousands of other youth from around the world in sending a strong message about our priorities. The Pittsburgh Association of Peacemakers and Proactive Youth (PAPPY) organized a student walkout that occurred at 2:00 pm, and a rally that was held in front the of Pittsburgh School Board offices at 4:00 pm, to protest the use of federal education funds being used to fund a war with Iraq.
While organizers had hoped that students from many area high schools would walk out, school administrators at several schools took action to prevent. At Taylor Alderdice, the school was locked down last period, and students were prohibited from leaving the classroom, even to go to the restroom. At Schenley high school, administrators threatened three-day suspensions for anyone that left the school early. The only school that students succeeded in the walkout was at the Creative and Performing Arts school (CAPA), were approximately thirty students received one-day suspensions for leaving school early.
After school hours finished, students from many area high schools, including CAPA, Winchester Thurston, Alderdice, Schenley, Mt. Lebanon, Sewickly Academy, Ellis, and others converged in front of the School Board Offices on Bellefield street. The approximately 75 people in attendance listed to several speakers, including Tim Vining of the Thomas Merton Center and Maura Jacob of PAPPY. During the rally, six members of PAPPY present Dr. Thompson, Superintendent of Pittsburgh area schools, with a resolution. The resolution, if passed by the School Board, states that they are opposed to federal education dollars being spent on a war with Iraq, and that since it would be impossible to pay for a war in Iraq without cuts in domestic spending, that they were also opposed to a preemptive strike against Iraq.
Both the rally and the walkout were held in conjunction solidarity with the National Student Strike, organized by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition.
Anyone interested in future PAPPY actions can contact us by email at pappyforpeace@yahoo.com

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