WHEREAS, the American Federation of School Administrators acknowledges that safety is a fundamental right of all students, families, staff and community members across the United States, especially at their schools; and
WHEREAS, school shootings have become a far-too-common occurrence, jeopardizing the physical and emotional safety of all stakeholders at schools; and
WHEREAS, the American Federation of School Administrators supports legislation protecting federal and state immigration and sanctuary policies for students; and
WHEREAS, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a federal government program created in 2012 under then-President Obama to allow undocumented children brought to the United States the temporary right to live, study and work in America; and
WHEREAS, AFSA and its members are committed to the highest-quality public education for all students; and
WHEREAS, public education is the foundation of our democracy, and where our students come to be educated in the fullest sense of the word, as citizens of this great country; and
WHEREAS, AFSA members strive on a daily basis to make every public school a place where we prepare the nations young people to contribute to our society, economy, and citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO is the labor center for American workers and fights tirelessly for economic justice and civil, labor and human rights for workers across the world; and
WHEREAS, it is more important than ever in the current environment for labor to stand strong with all members of our community in the continuing fight for economic, social and racial justice; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the voice of school administrators be heard at the local, state and national political levels; and
WHEREAS, each member of the American Federation of School Administrators should be encouraged to become actively involved in speaking out, speaking up and helping to make a positive change in the local, state and national political venues; and
WHEREAS, active involvement by AFSA members will result in positive outcomes for our profession;
As we celebrate Dr. Kings legacy, we must remember that economic justice was central to his mission. The gap between rich and poor he highlighted in the 1950s and 1960sand the economic disparities between White and Black Americahave only worsened with time. The recently enacted Republican tax legislation that gives massive tax cuts to the wealthy and big corporations will further exacerbate these troubling national divides.
