Thousands of school books destroyed by unelected Emergency Manager

Latest

The unelected, tyrannical Emergency Manager in Highland Park, MI threw 1,000 school books in a dumpster against the community’s wishes. The photo shows some of the remaining books still housed in the school. PHOTO/GLENDA MCDONALD
The unelected, tyrannical Emergency Manager in Highland Park, MI threw 1,000 school books in a dumpster against the community’s wishes. The photo shows some of the remaining books still housed in the school.
PHOTO/GLENDA MCDONALD

 
HIGHLAND PARK, MI — The People’s Tribune’s, Sandy Reid, interviewed Linda G. Wheeler about the destruction of thousands of books in Highland Park, Michigan.
People’s Tribune: How were 10,000 school books destroyed?
Linda G. Wheeler: We received a phone call from a parent volunteer that the (governor appointed) Emergency Manager for the Highland Park School District, Donald Weatherspoon, trashed the Highland Park Senior High School Library. He threw thousands of books –10,000 —  and also furniture and equipment, from the media center (library) into the dumpsters. We called several citizens, and risking getting cut from glass, rescued 1,000 books out of the dumpster.
PT: What are people doing about this?
LGW: We formed Citizens for Highland Park Public Schools. We had two slow downs, on Woodard Avenue in front of the High School. We call them Slow Down In Motown, Highland Park Style.  We shut down traffic for over 20 minutes. We passed out literature to motorists explaining why we’re doing this and who is responsible and gave information on how they can contact the governor. Gov. Snyder’s office in Lansing has been flooded with calls. We also had a march and protest in front of the high school which was very successful. However, five of us received traffic violations for impeding traffic –$150 each — but we are fighting this.  We still want to be heard; this was a malicious act of destruction and mismanagement. The Emergency Manager’s response was “It was a mistake. I take full responsibility.” He said he would give away the remaining books to a church or a foundation.
PT: Why do you think this happened?
LGW: It’s a conspiracy to take over the public school system. The Emergency Manager is dictatorial – he can do whatever he wants. We the voters of Michigan voted against public act 72 – the Emergency Manager law. Then the governor turned around and created another public act, which was unconstitutional. It overrode our vote and gave them complete control to do whatever they want without notifying the community. It’s a fascist rule. This is contemptuous. When you deny people the history (as found in books) of who they are, you are trying to keep them repressed and confused. People need their sense of history.
PT: What is the next step?
LGW: We are joining coalitions with the Welfare Rights Organization; Stop the Emergency Manager organization and others. The next step is to be united and strong.

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

80 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Are We on the Verge of Another Nuclear War?

Gerry Condon, former president of Veterans for Peace, makes the case that we are now closer to nuclear war than ever, and that the U.S. is primarily responsible.

Labor Law Still Offers Pathway to Resist Abusive, Inhumane Immigration Laws

Local unions are taking leadership by negotiating language into their agreements prohibiting ICE from entering workplaces.

Nebraska Farmers Describe Trump’s Impact

Farmers from Neligh, Nebraska speak on Trump’s policy to round up farmworkers, the effect of the tariffs on farmers, and the resistance.

Gazans Demand ‘Agency, Memory and Hope’

The true number of dead and missing in Gaza may be around 500,000. Another 500,000 face starvation. Palestinians say if there is to be peace, it must begin with respect for their voices, their rights and their humanity.

Trump’s Immigration Theater Ignores Whose Land ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Is

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma joined Florida tribes in protesting "Alligator Alcatraz. The tribe says it insults their ancestral homeland and threatens ecosystem.

More from the People's Tribune