#ISupportMarylin
"So long as one just person is silenced, there is no justice." ~ Mumia Abu-Jamal
On Sunday, April 12, 2015, Marylin Zuniga was suspended with pay from her 3rd grade teaching position within the Orange Public Schools, after the Fraternal Order of Police demanded the Orange Public Schools' superintendent fire her for sending get-well cards and letters from her students to former Black Panther and journalist, Mumia Abu-Jamal.
We, the leaders of the New Jersey Teacher Activist Group (NJTAG) are in full support of Ms. Zuniga, who created an environment where her students felt safe and secure enough to propose showing compassion for someone, although in prison, whose health was failing. Our commitment to social justice education, self-directed learning, humanity, deep love, compassion, community, and democracy in education will not allow us to be moved or threatened by any group or organization driven by hate and a disdain for people including those in prison. As the preservers of democratic education, student voice, social justice, and commitment to anti-oppression in education, we pledge to continue the fight for our profession and public education.
We ask that you all do the same as we continue to seek justice for Ms. Zuniga.
Please find this page useful with information and updates about Ms. Zuniga's case.
We, the leaders of the New Jersey Teacher Activist Group (NJTAG) are in full support of Ms. Zuniga, who created an environment where her students felt safe and secure enough to propose showing compassion for someone, although in prison, whose health was failing. Our commitment to social justice education, self-directed learning, humanity, deep love, compassion, community, and democracy in education will not allow us to be moved or threatened by any group or organization driven by hate and a disdain for people including those in prison. As the preservers of democratic education, student voice, social justice, and commitment to anti-oppression in education, we pledge to continue the fight for our profession and public education.
We ask that you all do the same as we continue to seek justice for Ms. Zuniga.
Please find this page useful with information and updates about Ms. Zuniga's case.
The next Orange Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 6:30pm at Orange Prep Academy--400 Central Ave, Orange, NJ.
Please come out to support not just Ms. Zuniga, but all teachers who are committed to teaching social justice and compassion in their classrooms and school. This case does not only have implications for Ms. Zuniga, but any and all teachers willing to give students voice in their classroom, and address real world issues.
Sign the Letter of Support from scholars and educators for Marylin Zuniga!!
Be Like Oakland: Write a letter to NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia:
Read the letter from Oakland Education Association for some ideas.
A letter of support from nationally recognized professors
News Reports/Blogs
May 11th: Our Duty to Protect One Another: Supporting Marylin Zuniga
May 6th: "Teach In" for suspended teacher Marylin Zuniga
May 6th: Rally held for teacher Marylin Zuniga, suspended for letter campaign to convict - News 12 New Jersey
April 27th: NLG Demands Reinstatement of New Jersey Teacher Marylin Zuniga, Suspended after Students Sent Get-Well Cards to Political Prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal
April 22nd: Mark Lewis Taylor- "Open Letter for Marylin Zuniga, School Teacher"
April 22: Donna Nevel on HuffPo - "Putting Our Children First: Teacher Marylin Zuniga Should Be Back in Her Classroom"
April 20th: On Marilyn Zuniga and the Miseducation of Children of Color
April 19th: Jose Luis Vilson - Of Challenge and Controversy (Why I Support Marylin Zuniga)
April 17th: News One - Marylin Says We Should Rethink "Leadership"
April 15th: Huffington Post Live with Mark Lamont Hill
April 15th: NJ teacher speaks out after suspension...
April 14th: Activists come to defense of Orange teacher...
April 10th: NJ Teacher Is Suspended for Having Students Write ‘Get Well’ Letters to Mumia Abu-Jamal
May 6th: "Teach In" for suspended teacher Marylin Zuniga
May 6th: Rally held for teacher Marylin Zuniga, suspended for letter campaign to convict - News 12 New Jersey
April 27th: NLG Demands Reinstatement of New Jersey Teacher Marylin Zuniga, Suspended after Students Sent Get-Well Cards to Political Prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal
April 22nd: Mark Lewis Taylor- "Open Letter for Marylin Zuniga, School Teacher"
April 22: Donna Nevel on HuffPo - "Putting Our Children First: Teacher Marylin Zuniga Should Be Back in Her Classroom"
April 20th: On Marilyn Zuniga and the Miseducation of Children of Color
April 19th: Jose Luis Vilson - Of Challenge and Controversy (Why I Support Marylin Zuniga)
April 17th: News One - Marylin Says We Should Rethink "Leadership"
April 15th: Huffington Post Live with Mark Lamont Hill
April 15th: NJ teacher speaks out after suspension...
April 14th: Activists come to defense of Orange teacher...
April 10th: NJ Teacher Is Suspended for Having Students Write ‘Get Well’ Letters to Mumia Abu-Jamal