Folks –

 

I’ve attached a pdf document version of an email update that I just received from the K-16 Coalition for Michigan’s Future regarding the planned June 21 Rally in Lansing. If anyone has any difficulty opening the pdf document and would like a more simple text version (without the graphics, etc.) please let me know and I’ll send one out.

 

A number of KCP and TRIO people are planning to join this rally to demonstrate broad support for education funding at ALL levels.

 

In an earlier email message I attempted to urge folks to join this rally. Some have suggested that we attempt to stage our own separate KCP rally. A number of KCP program people across the state have been discussing our “options” over the past several days and we’ve concluded that not only are we all in the same boat regarding funding for education, we’re much more likely to have an impact on education funding budget decisions if we have as large a contingent as possible in Lansing for the legislators to see and hear. I’ve also since learned that the organization (BAMN) that’s been waging a powerful battle in support of Affirmative Action for the past several years (and against California’s Ward Connerly, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and their ballot initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to ban Affirmative Action) is sending a contingency to this rally as well. For those who are not familiar with this group, this is the group that started at UM-Ann Arbor in the late 90s and worked on behalf of the students, larger community and grass roots organizations in support of the Affirmative Action cases at Um-Ann Arbor. This is the group that led the strong national contingency to Washington during the Supreme Court’s deliberations. Please check the following for further information about BAMN:

 

Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, & Immigrant Rights, And Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) www.bamn.com - [log in to unmask] - 313-438-3748.

 

In any event, a strong showing by a broad cross section of educators from all levels and from across the state will give our legislators a powerful message…and hopefully a mandate to fund ALL levels of education, from pre-school to the KCP Future Faculty Program.

 

The schedule is included in the attached document, but basically the pre-rally events begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Lansing Center and the actual rally begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Capitol Building. The attachment includes all of the details, travel directions, available transportation and parking arrangements, and various URL links for talking points and related information.

 

Please seriously consider joining this important gathering as we rally next Tuesday.

 

Tendaji

 

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Tendaji W. Ganges

Assistant to the Chancellor and

Executive Director

Educational Opportunity Initiatives

University of Michigan-Flint

University Center - Suite 280

303 East Kearsley Street

Flint, MI 48502-1950

Voice and Voice Mail: 810-762-3365

Facsimile: 810-762-3190

Email: [log in to unmask]

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