Fun Stuff This Week.

I have been out of town for a week and so I haven't posted anything for a while. Had an enjoyable vacation with my daughter as we celebrated her birthday.

This week there is some fun stuff happening. Tonight there is a free screening and panel of the film "United States of ALEC." ALEC stands for the American Legislative Exchange Council. It is a group that helps to lobby the interests of corporations and other right wing groups. ALEC helped get the Stand Your Ground law passed in Florida. If your interested here is a link you can use to register. Sorry for the short notice.

Tomorrow there will be a protest against ALEC outside of the Palmer House. ALEC is having its 40th anniversary conference in downtown Chicago. Let's get down there and wish them a happy birthday, Chicago style. I will be there right after my CTU Special Education Committee meeting. The special education committee is really dedicated as we planned to meet before the school year even starts. I love those guys. Here is a link with info about the protest.

On Friday, I will have the pleasure of meeting social justice teacher union activists from around the country. Delegations from around the country will come to Chicago to discuss social justice teacher unionism and try to set a national agenda for activism. Groups from NYC, Los Angeles, Detroit, Milwaukee and Kansas City just to name a few will be here. It should be awesome. You can read a letter here from Julie Cavanagh who ran for UFT President this past school year and will be in attendance. CORE will be hosting some social functions for those who are interested. More info on that under upcoming events on the CORE website.

Finally, Saturday is the 84th annual Bud Billiken Back to School Parade. CTU will be marching as usual. After the parade meet CTU behind Dyett High School near the parking lot for a picnic. Dyett H.S. is located at 555 E. 51st Street. Here is a link for the parade.

Hope to see people out at these events.