CTA Condemns Oakland School Police’s Violent Acts Against Students, Parents and Educators at School Board Meeting
Contact Gabriella Landeros at 323-406-3270 or Claudia Briggs at 916-325-1550
LOS ANGELES – CTA President E. Toby Boyd issued the following statement today condemning the violent acts of Oakland Unified School District police officers against Oakland parents:
“CTA condemns the heinous acts of violence perpetuated Oct. 23 by Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) police officers against Oakland parents, students and educators who were peacefully protesting proposed school closures. There is no room for these actions in our schools or anywhere in society. We hold responsible the OUSD Board and Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell for creating the atmosphere that led to police officers wildly swinging batons at unarmed teachers, parents and students, causing physical injury and emotional distress. They should be free to speak up on behalf of all students without fear of violent attacks.
“The 310,000 CTA members stand with Oakland Education Association in its demand that OUSD immediately:
- Enact a moratorium on all planned and future school closures;
- Issue a public apology to our students, parents and educators for the use of police barricades, over-policing, and violence at the Oct. 23 board meeting;
- Defund the OUSD police force, and redirect those funds toward the counselors, nurses and other supports Oakland students need; and immediately suspend, investigate and discipline officers for their behavior.”