DC Parents Plan More Demonstrations Against Fenty-Rhee Closures

From WaPo:

With prayer, song and chants, more than 100 D.C. students, parents and supporters took their displeasure over a proposal to close 23 schools to the school system's headquarters yesterday in the latest show of opposition to the plan.

The group, much smaller than the 5,000 students who would be affected by the closings, braved a brisk early morning wind to pray that God would "turn the hearts" of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. Several police officers escorted the marchers from the headquarters, on North Capitol Street, to E Street and on to another set of government buildings at Judiciary Square.

There, D.C. Council members Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) joined the protest. "There are some people in this government who care about the rights of everyone," said Thomas, "and want to make sure that every neighborhood school gets what it deserves."

Barry and Thomas later sent a letter to Fenty (D) asking him to stop the closings process and set up additional meetings with parents and others. The letter said activists are planning more protests.

"Your failure to change course will likely result in continued agitation and take away the focus, time and energy from much needed educational reforms," the council members wrote. . . .