Teachers unions differ on approach to controversial education film
- 09/05/12 06:41 PM ET
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The leaders of the country’s two largest teachers unions are taking different tacks when it comes to a controversial film set to be released later this month.
“Won’t Back Down,” which is expected to get a wide release on Sept. 28, has angered teachers union members for its depiction of a teachers union that hampers a crusading single mother who wants to improve her daughter’s school. The movie has also gained heavy promotion from groups that often spar with teachers unions, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and StudentsFirst, which was founded by former Washington, D.C., public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.
Rhee’s group hosted a screening for the film in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this week, which followed a screening in Tampa, Fla., during the Republican National Convention. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation
“Won’t Back Down,” which is expected to get a wide release on Sept. 28, has angered teachers union members for its depiction of a teachers union that hampers a crusading single mother who wants to improve her daughter’s school. The movie has also gained heavy promotion from groups that often spar with teachers unions, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and StudentsFirst, which was founded by former Washington, D.C., public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.
Rhee’s group hosted a screening for the film in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this week, which followed a screening in Tampa, Fla., during the Republican National Convention. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation