JUNE 2, 2009 HUNGRY FOR A BETTER EDUCATION Media Contacts: Organizer (English / Español) – Jessica Buchanan (562) 477-2652 Teacher Organizer (English / Espanol) – Kelly Flores (323) 286-5244 Fast Participant (English / Español) – Jose Lara (714) 864-0543 Fast Participant (English Only) – Sean Leys (323) 490-2412 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Teachers, Parents, and Community Members Announce Day 7 of the Hunger Strike for the Kids of LAUSD: Hungry for a Better Education June 2nd, 2009, Los Angeles, California – The Hungry for a Better Education fast continues on to day seven and is growing. The Hungry for a Better Education fast was created by an ad-hoc group of teachers and community members independently of UTLA or any other organization. While some of the participants have received layoff notices, many have not. Participants are unified by their belief that students must have a quality education; they are not taking this action for themselves. This is a fast inspired by a genuine belief in the importance of dedication, sacrifice, and conscience. The goal of the participants is to inspire LAUSD Board of Education members Mónica García, Yolie Flores-Aguilar, and Richard Vladovic to take a stand for the children of Los Angeles and stop class size increases and rescind teacher layoff notices. Five people are currently on their seventh day of a strict water-only fast and have been joined by dozens more who are fasting for short durations in solidarity. Fasts have begun at schools from Wilson High to Jordan High. Twelve teachers are joining the fast this week at Lincoln High alone. All teachers are continuing to teach. On Monday several met with doctors for physical exams and for blood tests. One of the fasters had been suffering severe headaches and was found to be severely dehydrated. She has increased the amount of water she is drinking and will be getting more blood work done today. As of today, she is continuing with the fast. The hunger strikers have also begun camping out at night in front of Liechty Middle School along with Liechty teachers and parents. The message of the Liechty school community is “this is our school and we decide how it should be run.” The campout began with a potluck dinner where people celebrated the breaking or beginnings of their fasts. After that, tents were set up along Wilshire Blvd on the sidewalk in front of the campus where teachers, community members, and hunger strikers spent the night. On Monday, the hunger strikers also issued an open letter to three members of the Board of Education, Mónica García, Yolie Flores-Aguilar, and Richard Vladovic. The letter again asked for action from these board members to stop the class size increases and rescind layoff notices to teachers. These three have the power to make these changes and there is sufficient stimulus money to do it. Instead, these board members have decided to put nearly a half a billion dollars in savings. Spending only a third of that would prevent all class size increases and layoffs. The text of that letter is attached. Hunger strikers will be available both today and tomorrow at their schools and tonight and tomorrow evening in front of Liechty Middle School. Demands 1) Protect out students’ education by NOT increasing class size 2) Protect the future of education in LAUSD by NOT laying off our new teachers Location Liechty Middle School Campout June 2nd-3rd, 6:00 PM until morning Liechty Middle School 650 South Union Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90017 Fasters on Day 7 Sean Leys Teacher at Lincoln High School, fast organizer, English only (323) 490-2412 Jose Lara Single father of child at First Street Elementary School, teacher at Santee High School, fast organizer, English and Español (714) 864-0543 Brenda Barragan Pink Slipped Teacher at Santee High School, English and Español Gladys Mazariego-Hamdi Math and special education teacher at West Adams Preparatory High School, English and Español Martin Terrones Filmmaker, community activist, founder / Executive Director of Chicano/Latino Artists for Social Equality (CLASE), English and Espanol