UPDATED PSU's Call to Witness and Action: Highlights from MLK Day

On Monday, Philadelphia Student Union celebrated Martin Luther King's vision with a spirited rally outside the School District, a 600-person march down Broad Street, and a powerful service at Arch Street Methodist Church. Led by the young leaders of PSU, the event called for peace, justice and an end to all forms of violence. It was co-sponsored by 19 other organizations and attended by students, parents, teachers, and community members from every section of the city--as well as State Representative Vanessa Brown, Democratic candidate for Governor Joe Hoeffel, candidate for State Representative Will Mega, and Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams. There were so many inspiring speeches, songs and other moments--what made the biggest impression on you?

In the meantime, here are some photos from Tim Moyer and reflections from Bryan Mercer.

Reverend Robin Hynicka reminded us that the doors of Arch Street Methodist Church remain open for all those who fight for justice. He told us that the doors of the church are open for all those who have a message of peace and justice to be heard across the street in City Hall and throughout any hall of power in our region.

Students, parents, neighbors, and organizers filled the pews of Arch Street Church on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day to make that call for justice. Lead by the Philadelphia Student Union, hundred marched in action and then gave witness to the violence and injustice that persist in our city's school district.

"The Philadelphia School District suffers from a deadly drop out rate of 50%, that's extremely unjust. The incident at South Philly High School is unjust. A school being set on fire by frustrated students is unjust. A student at my school being slashed with razor blades is unjust. Sayer High School students being called rioters, and crack babies, by the media and adults is unjust." As Azeem Hill told us from his experience as a high school student.

This is why students made a Call to Witness & Action. Teachers like Shanee Garner answered this call. Dr. King had a vision for education that was "inundated with rights and the spirit of social justice," she said. And so, in her classroom, "we learn about the school to prison pipeline, because for my students to succeed in this world they need to know what systems, by design, will fail them."

The testimony of students like Azeem and teachers like Shana tells us that forty-two years after the assassination of Dr. King his life's work is certainly still incomplete. This unfinished business is the bearing "of a still relevant vision… as in the last days of his life he shifted from a Black Civil Rights leader to a leader that discussed human rights." Savina Martin, a Poverty Scholar for the Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary brought this reflection about Dr. King's life to all those joined in the crowd. King's still relevant vision is now our unfinished business. To achieve justice in our schools requires systematic solutions.  Peace can only be achieved through ensuring the human right to a quality education, in non-violent schools, that are liberating instead of domesticating.

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