Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Braving sub-zero temps to stop the charter invasion

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Braving sub-zero temps to stop the charter invasion:

Braving sub-zero temps to stop the charter invasion

At last night's vigil

A SmallTalk Salute goes out to the dozens of protesters who demonstrated their commitment last night byholding an all-night vigil and sleeping out in sub-zero temps, outside CPS headquarters. They, along with hundreds of others, will pack today's board meeting to try and stop Rahm's hand pick board's vote for further charter expansion.

Another goes out to Wisconsin high school social studies teacher Al Levie, one of three recipients of a Martin Luther King Jr. humanitarian award. During a celebration honoring the late civil rights leader, Al refused to accept the award from Rep. Paul Ryan, saying, “I can’t in good conscience accept this award, as a humanitarian, Paul Ryan stands for everything I don’t believe in.”

After Ryan spoke, Levie criticized the congressman’s policies before being walked off the stage. Levie had earlier stated that he would like to see collective bargaining restored in Wisconsin, fair immigration reform and a fair tax system among other suggestions.

“Paul Ryan had no business at a Martin Luther King event, it’s totally hypocritical. On the one hand he votes to slash health care, while on the other hand, King dedicated his life and he died for it — for people to have adequate healthcare, to have adequate jobs.”

And a third salute goes out to  Ald. Nick Sposato (36th), and members of the City Council's