Dear Liza,
I heard the protest before I saw it. A line of about thirty elementary school teachers and their allies, using an upturned bucket as a drum, marched around the Sunnyside neighborhood to support and draw attention to the difficulties our local schools are having.
The problems are familiar to anyone who has been a teacher: Low pay, high class size, and lack of support from Administration. My SETC colleagues and I marched to fight these in Salinas, winning some, losing some, but always working together as a Union.
I offered cookies to the marchers, then asked where I might leave some to be enjoyed later. (Picketing is hungry work!) I was directed to the support tent, set up on the play yard of Sunnyside.
It was staffed by PTSA President Steph and Library Clerk Becca, who had a collection of pastries and fruit, hot coffee and conversation, to keep morale high.
This picket line was familiar, but also uniquely Portland. Some teachers carried litter grabbers and buckets, making the route more tidy as they went.
There were also more dogs than usual. Kids came along, of course. Schools will be closed until the strike is settled. Wish the teachers luck!
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 