Students and Parents Plan Rally at Capitol Over Cuts to Public Education

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 23, 2016) — As the current legislative session comes to its projected close and on the heels of several student organized walk-outs; a group of parents, students and educators are planning a large rally at the State Capitol on Thursday May 26 at 10:00a. "Let's Fix This," a nonpartisan political movement encouraging citizens to meet with their legislators, helped organize the rally along with the Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education (OPEPE), the Douglass High School PTSA, and the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Groups of students and parents from schools across the state will be meeting at Douglass High School at 9:00a to march to the Capitol, where they will gather inside to visit with legislators in hopes of encouraging them that it's not too late to do something for education funding. Participants are being encouraged to "Wear Red for Public Ed" and to bring apples for their representatives as a symbolic gesture for each teacher lost to budget cuts.

Douglass PTSA recognizes the importance of the parent’s voice and was instrumental in organizing parent groups for this rally. “It was important that we work together to demonstrate that every child deserves a quality education not only in Oklahoma City but across the state,” says Henderson Harris, Douglass PTSA President.

Angela Clark Little, co-founder of OPEPE, hopes that many will join the rally to show support, "Schools are currently being starved for resources,” she continues, "We are not headed for a crisis, we are in one. It's imperative that we stand up for our children and the educators who pour into their lives each day." As a public school parent, Clark Little co-leads OPEPE's group of 24,000 parents and educators from around the state. Their mission is to improve the level and accuracy of dialogue regarding public education. “This is our opportunity to show Oklahoma legislators how many of their constituents are aware they’re not making public education a priority in this state. They will see the faces of those whose lives they are altering with bad policy and continuous cuts to this core service.”

Andy Moore, organizer of the “Let’s Fix This” movement, recommends that those new to the process visit dosomethingok.org prior to the march; to familiarize and prepare for conversations about revenue recommendations the state can take to avoid harmful budget cuts. 

For more information on the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/558764144284337/

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LetsFixThisOK/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/letsfixthisok

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