11 Arrested in Pittsburgh Protesting Corbett's Education Cuts

[blue neen]

"Eleven people were arrested Downtown this morning after blocking traffic at Fifth Avenue and Wood Street while protesting proposed cuts to public education funding near Gov. Tom Corbett's Pittsburgh office."

"The 11 were among a crowd of about 200 demonstrators protesting proposed cuts to education funding, first at the United Steelworkers Building on the Boulevard of the Allies and then peacefully on foot to Mr. Corbett's office on Fifth."

"The demonstrators hoped to present Mr. Corbett with a giant pencil bearing some of their signatures and the words "Stand for children. Stand for public schools."

"Most of the protesters were members of SEIU Local 32BJ."

"We can't afford to stand by and watch public education eroded," said the Rev. David Thornton, pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Hill District."

"We're going to send a strong message to Governor Tom Corporate, excuse me, Corbett. He needs to understand that we are in this fight for the long haul because we care about our children and quality public education for all children," he said."

Read more at:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/11-arrested-in-pittsburgh-protesting-gov-corbetts-planned-education-cuts-637159/

[atreides1]

1. Pennsylvania

Soon to be a Principality...with a nobility and a servant class. The noblity will receive all benefits while being waited on hand and foot by the State created serfs.

The irony is that those "grassroots" idiots that voted the Conservanazis in will also be part of the servant class...the downside is that a lot of good people will now suffer...

[badhair77]

2. Most of the comments are supportive.

I like the one from Emily Cleath.


"Hey governor! If this is the only way we can get your attention - to block traffic and submit ourselves to the criminal justice system - then so be it. Or you could act like a grownup and the representative of all Pennsylvanians you took an oath to serve and decide to meet with your constituents! According to the basic tenets of democracy, our rights and viewpoints are supposed to count as much as (if not more than) the companies you shill for while you dismantle and privatize our public goods: education, transit, social services, etc. We don't pay more than our fair share in taxes so you can gift those dollars to your corporate pals. We don't exist to fund the projects of your opportunistic friends. We have projects of our own that our taxes are supposed to be supporting e.g. raising healthy, well-educated children and sustaining strong communities. Your refusal to hear our complaints and address our outrage shows you for the coward you are."

[blue neen]

3. Oh, that is a really good comment.

Everything she said is so true!

[PA Democrat]

4. Apparently in Tom Corbett's Pennsylvania "free speech" is "free" only if

you can afford the price of admission. All others will be arrested.

Who do those teachers think they are? They're as bad as those disability rights activists who thought they had the right to protest Corbett's draconian cuts to services for the people with disabilities. Well. Corbett sure showed them, he roped off the elevators in the Capital. Take THAT people in wheelchairs! If you can't pay the price of admission (BIG campaign or PAC donations for Corbett) no "free" speech for you!

[Mc Mike]

5. +1, thanks Neen.

I made that event. Since I only get action info from One, I haven't heard about the disposition of the arrestees' cases, their release, etc. They do all their thinking far from the maddning crowd.

Though they once did hold an 'after-action report' meeting, after their 4-17 Tax Dodge and Toomey event, which made me feel optimistic.