MEDIA ADVISORY
September 2, 2020
Contact: Hillary Linardopoulos HillaryL@pft.org
Oriana Korin okorin@aft.org
TODAY: PFT PRES JORDAN JOINS JOIN AFT PRESIDENT WEINGARTEN, CONGRESSMAN BOYLE, MAYOR KENNEY, AFTPA PRESIDENT STEINBERG, SENATOR STREET, COUNCILMEMBERS GYM AND GREEN FOR NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
PHILADELPHIA— On Wednesday, September 2nd, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten will join Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Mayor James Kenney, AFT PA President Arthur Steinberg, Senator Sharif Street, Councilmember Helen Gym, Councilmember Derek Green, and Bishop Dwayne Royster (POWER) at Lowell Elementary School to demand more funding for Philadelphia public schools as congressional negotiations remained stalled over next Coronavirus relief package.
The event, which is part of the Nationwide Day of Action to #DemandSafeSchools, will focus on the ongoing infrastructure challenges facing public schools in Philadelphia, particularly amidst the Trump Administration’s refusal to provide critical funding and resources needed to reopen schools safely as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the critical lack of funding, schools in Philadelphia and across the country are anticipating staffing cuts and other challenges in meeting students’ needs.
In addition to this event, similar gatherings are also taking place at schools across the country on Wednesday to demand action from the federal government to keep teachers and students safe and maintain critical programs for children.
The event will be livestreamed on the AFT’s Facebook page.
WHAT: Nationwide Day of Action to Demand Safe Schools
WHO: Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02)
Mayor James Kenney
AFT President Randi Weingarten
AFT PA President Arthur Steinberg
PFT President Jerry Jordan
State Senator Sharif Street (SD-03)
Councilmember Helen Gym (At-Large)
Councilmember Derek Green (At-Large)
Bishop Dwayne Royster (POWER)
Parents
WHEN: TODAY, Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, 10:15 a.m. ET
WHERE: Lowell Elementary School (outside – no building access)
450 W. Nedro Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19120
Social Distancing protocols must be observed, masks must be worn.
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