SCHOOL’S OUT
Teachers protest school reopenings by carrying COFFINS and guillotines as they ‘demand safety’ before classes commence
TEACHERS in New York protested Mayor Bill de Blasio's reopening plan for schools on Monday afternoon by carrying coffins and a guillotine through the streets.
Around 200 protesters comprised of educators, and students marched through towards Department of Education Offices, according to the
3
In addition to carrying signs and chanting "We demand safe schools" as they marched, some of the protesters walked with two boxes that looked like coffins, three handmade body bags and a guillotine.
Painted yellow, the guillotine had "DOE" painted on the blade and "US" where a head would be positioned.
"Children cannot focus on schoolwork if their family members or teachers are in the hospital or dying," said Frankie Cook, a kindergarten teacher at a Brooklyn school the Post reported.
"Children cannot learn if they're dead," she said.
3
vowed to reopen schools in September as long as infection rates are .
"Hey-hey, ho-ho, Bill de Blasio has got to go!" protesters chanted.
City Hall recently released safety protocols for the coming school year which encourage, but do not require, teachers to get tested before the start of the school year.
The City Hall will also provide expedited testing and results at 34 centers.
Cook said that schools will be like "."
"Teachers' main focus will be on enforcing health and safety because one slip could cause someone their lives."
3
Most read in News
Another protester, Anthony Bautista-Ramil, lost a colleague in May from coronavirus and believes that the plan put forth doesn't "prioritize safety."
The United Federation of Teachers has called for more safety measures such as mandatory random testing during the year, the Post reported.
The mayor voiced support for the plan on Monday and claimed it is "all about health and safety first."
Topics