Charter School Advocacy Day 2010 was a success!
3,000 charter school supporters from Buffalo, New York City, Rochester and Long Island rallied for charter school equality in Albany. Charter Parent Advocacy Network's (CPAN) Director, Valerie Babb, emceed the program and introduced a host of notable guest speakers. Reverend Timothy Birkett, Board Member of the Bronx Academy Charter School and President of the Bronx Clergy Task Force, opened up the program with an invocation to the crowd. Following Reverend Birkett's presentation, Reverend A.R. Bernard, Founder and CEO of the Christian Cultural Center, Governor David Paterson, Senators Craig Johnson, Pedro Espada, Martin Golden, Sam Hoyt, and Bill Perkins lined-up to address the mass of charter advocates. When Senator Perkins, a charter school opponent, approached the podium he was quickly and loudly dismissed by the large crowd's booing and shouts of disapproval.
After the program hundreds marched en masse outside the Capitol steps, protesting against another potential charter funding freeze. Also, groups of charter school advocates met with their legislators to reinforce the message of "Please, no freeze!" and raising the cap on the number of charters.
Advocacy Day Banner Contest
Congratulations to all contestants! Your creative and thoughtfully decorated posters made the judging process quite difficult but we managed to narrow them down down to three winners and an honorable mention:
First Place: Community Roots Charter School
Second Place: Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
Third Place: The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School
Honorable Mention: Girls Prep
