Walking for Justice: School Equity March to Albany Enters Westchester

It's been 10 years since the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court decision which ruled that the state is systemically underfunding Black, Latino, and low-income students in many districts across New York.

"Today, our students are still suffering from this systemic neglect and we say: “enough is enough!” say members of the Alliance for Quality Education.

The Alliance for Quality Education is a coalition mobilizing communities across the state to keep New York true to its promise of ensuring a high-quality public school education to all students regardless of zip code.

Read the AQE's full report about funding inequity in New York here. The report shows that despite statements to the contrary, the state continues to owe $3.9 billion to schools across the state, and the districts with the most needy students are the most shortchanged.

Ossining, for example, is owed $14 million in school funding under the fiscal equity formula.

So members and supporters are walking 150 miles to Albany to demand that NYS fully fund education in every district in NY.

The walk started Sunday in New York City. It comes through Westchester and Dutchess counties this week, starting Monday with a press conference in Yonkers.

Walkers will go Tuesday from Ossining High School and stop at Peekskill Middle School at 2:15 p.m. for a meet-and-greet. On Wednesday, there's a rally in Beacon at 4 p.m. A press conference will be held at Poughkeepsie High School Thursday at 2 p.m. By 2 p.m. Friday, the walkers will be in Kingston, where there will be a rally at City Hall at 2 p.m. and a dinner with the Citizen Action Education Committee at 6 p.m.

Check out the walk website for full information.

#EdWalk

WHEN: Oct. 2-11

WHERE: NYC to Albany

Image via AQENY Facebook page