American Legion Blackmailing Bloomington MN High School

This came from an indymedia post today! More information below:


High school student anti-war activists plan to hold press conference and demonstration after school today in protest of school administration’s refusal to guarantee free speech

Bloomington, MN Under pressure from the American Legion, the Bloomington Public Schools Superintendent Gary Prest has banned Kennedy student anti-war activists from setting up a counter-recruitment table today, while allowing military recruiters unfettered access to their fellow students.

For weeks the students in Youth Against War & Racism had been planning to set up an anti-war information table today (February 23), when the military recruiters are scheduled to table at Kennedy High. They had obtained permission and reserved a table.

But Tuesday morning their principal got a visit to his office by representatives from the American Legion, who informed him that unless he stopped them from tabling, they would cease donating money to Bloomington Public Schools. Principal Simmons also got a call from the District Superintendent, who had also met with the American Legion, who also instructed him to shut down their organization’s action.

This repression of our rights follows months of negotiations with our Principal to get the right to set up a table. Last December the Bloomington School District lawyer finally gave his opinion that Youth Against War & Racism had the right to set up a counter-recruitment information table when military recruiters came to Kennedy.

On December 8th the recruiters came, and their counter-recruitment tabling commenced. Over 230 students signed their petition against military recruiters being allowed into Kennedy High in the following days.Now their Superintendent and Principal are allowing themselves to be blackmailed by the American Legion.

The students are holding a press conference after school today at 2:30pm, in the Kennedy High lunch room (9701 Nicollet Ave., Bloomington).

Here are three things you can do TODAY to help:

1. Call the Bloomington Schools Superintendent, Gary Prest (952-681-6402) and Kennedy High Principal Ronald Simmons (952-681-5050). Call right now and urge them to respect our free speech rights and to stand up against the American Legion’s blackmail of our school district.

2. Show your support by coming to our after-school protest and teach-in today at 2:30pm, in the Kennedy High lunch room (9701 Nicollet Ave., Bloomington).

3. Forward this solidarity appeal on to your friends, family, and any email lists you are on.

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