Clinton rallies with teachers convention in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton headlined the American Federation of Teachers national convention and gave a nod to the family of Philando Castile, a Twin Cities man who died in an officer-involved shooting July 6.
The former Secretary of State knew she was in friendly territory, because the AFT was the first national union to endorse her current run for the presidency. Clinton was joined on stage by US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and gave a nod to the Minnesota political icon in the audience, former Vice President Walter Mondale.
Then she turned to another matter that has put the state in the world spotlight recently.
"Philando Castile died in a police incident outside St. Paul," Clinton said. "And I just had the great honor and the great privilege of meeting with his mother and two of his uncles and his sister."
At that point in the speech a small band of protesters started chanting, "Hands up! Don't shoot!" and marched through the convention floor carrying a large fabric sign that read, "Don't vote! Revolt!"
The protesters were drowned out by a chorus of "Hillary! Hillary!" and then gently shown the door.
The candidate never stopped speaking.
"I share the urgency and the commitment to actually address these issues," Clinton declared. "We cannot let this madness continue! A lot of people are still in pain right here, including his courageous family!"
The Democratic standard bearer also condemned the ambush attacks that claimed the lives of five police officers in Dallas and three lawmen in Baton Rouge.
"This hate, this violence, cannot stand. Killing police officers is a crime against us all, there can be no justification, no looking the other way," she said. "This must end!"
She said American must acknowledge that they need law enforcement, at the same time they recognize the need to improve police relationships with communities of color.
Clinton went on to defend the ever broadening roles of public school teachers, and to pledge more resources to help them do their jobs.
"We ask you to help right wrongs, from poverty and homelessness, to the legacy of racial inequities stretching back centuries," she asserted. "We ask so much of you and we don’t give you enough in return."
She talked about the need to support students who need extra help, from special education to mental health services, which is one of the responsibilities of the much maligned US Dept. of Education.
"So many kids have the weight of the world on their little shoulders, and we have to tackle all the problems holding our kids back. We need to do it together."
The reiterated her support tuition-free college education for students from families that earn less than $125,000 per year. She also voiced support for a student debt forgiveness program for those who stay in the teach profession at least 10 years.
The union members, which include public school teachers, nurses, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and college instructors, said they feel their professions are under attack by those looking to shift tax dollars to private school options.
"We are going to continue to oppose vouchers that drain resources from public schools and undermine their ability to undermine the education our children deserve!" Clinton told the crowd of educators and union officers.
"And I will defend your right to organize and bargain collectively, and we will not stand for attempts to privatize public services!"
Clinton used part of her time to criticize her opponent, Republican Donald Trump. She said his choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a running mate made it clear Trump doesn't won't support educators.
"Neither Mike Pence nor Donald Trump should be anywhere near our children’s education."
