The Revolutionary Student Movement held a march against the Rainbow District School Board's plan to close eight public schools in Sudbury starting this fall.
The march was held Jan. 24, with members of the RSM marching from the corner of Durham and Elm Streets, throughout the downtown and arriving at the Rainbow Board office.
"We're here today to stand up against school closures announced by the Rainbow District Public School Board," said an RSM member who asked to be identified as "Rosa." "The school board initially planned to close 12 schools in the area, including two high schools in Chelmsford and Lively. There was huge community upset as expected; schools are a vital part of our communities and we absolutely need schools in our neighbourhoods."
Rosa went out to mention the series of community consultations that were put on by the board, calling them "shams to appease people".
"This didn't stop students at Lively (District High School) and Chelmsford (Valley District Composite Secondary School) from going even further and organizing militant walk-outs at their own schools," said Rosa.
"And it's no coincidence that those two schools have been spared. The board is now planning to close only eight public schools so this shows that militant, direct action can work and it's what's necessary."
Roughly 20 members took to the streets for the march, waving Communist flags and holding banners and signs with messages like, "rebel against school closures" and "our schools, our futures".
When the crowd arrived at the Rainbow Board office, there was a minor scuffle between RSM members and Greater Sudbury Police, who were escorting the march, when RSM members attempted to enter the building.
GSPS officers told the select few who attempted to get in the doors that they were not permitted to enter the Rainbow Board office and RSM members obliged.
"We'll be back here staging another action on Feb. 7," said RSM member Alan, who declined to give his last name.
"It's times like these that we have to look back at the great movements of the people and their past struggles throughout history. To the great achievements of the labour movement, the suffragettes, and the indigenous peoples. We too can be like the great movements of history. With solidarity, persistence and tenacity we can win this struggle."
In their announcement about their Jan. 24 march, RSM promised a surprise action, which was revealed in the form of a banner hung from the roof of the Rainbow Board office awning, displaying the message, "Education for Liberation. No Closures! No Compromise!"
Check out video from today's march, below.
