Thousands March in NYC Supporting Public Charter Schools

Rally for Charter School Equality

• 📣 Thousands of students, parents, and teachers marched from Downtown Brooklyn across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall.
• ✊ The demonstration was in support of public charter schools and their demand for equal treatment and access.
• 💡 Participants emphasized that quality education is a civil right and promoted educational choice and excellence.

Charter School Network Support

• 🏫 The Success Academy, the city's largest charter school network, cancelled classes to allow students to attend the rally.
• 🗣️ Organizers stated the event was not political, despite ongoing discussions about charter schools in the mayoral race.
• 🤝 Parents and educators expressed their desire to stand together as a charter network to ensure their schools remain open and supported.

Contrasting Views on Charter Schools

• 🗣️ Former Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed tremendous support for charter schools, citing the large number of parents who back them.
• ⚠️ Opponents, including the United Federation of Teachers, argue that charter schools siphon off taxpayer dollars and students from traditional public schools.
• 🚫 The teachers union also criticized the leadership of Success Academy for allegedly telling students and families who don't fit their mold to leave.

March Logistics and Atmosphere

• 🚶‍♀️ The march began at Cadman Plaza, with participants making their way across the Brooklyn Bridge, filling the walkway end to end.
• 📢 The demonstration was audible and visible to those on the Brooklyn Bridge, with honking and cheers heard from below.
• 🚗 All lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge remained open during the march.