This issue of safety—in schools, universities, other workplaces and our communities—is personal for members in every division, and we have received tremendous interest in participating in the upcoming actions around the country.
While we have differences at the margins, we are united in fighting for safe schools and resources for mental health and other social and emotional services on an ongoing basis—not just after the fact. We are also united in seeking measures to reduce gun violence that even many NRA members support, like universal background checks, eliminating bump stocks and fighting the arming of teachers.
We hope your local will participate. It’s a powerful moment to engage our members and our communities on an issue they care about.
We are all in for the National Day of Action to Protect Our Schools on April 20. To get you started, here’s a 7-point plan of action to mobilize your members and community.
Here, you can find materials to support your efforts and your members, including:
- Legal guidance on our members’ rights related to advocacy and supporting students
- Sample school board resolution
- Sample request to participate in the walkouts
- Sample faculty senate resolution in support of the walkouts
- A toolkit with sample social media and an email to invite your members to participate in April 20
- AFT’s executive council resolution on gun violence
- My open letter to Trump demanding he meet with teachers’ union leaders
- Talking points on the dangerous idea of arming teachers and school staff
- Media and social media toolkit for the Day of Action