Tonight, the Toronto District School Board voted overwhelmingly in favour of permanently eliminating their School Resource Officer (SRO) program. It is moments like this that we are reminded of the power of collective and Black-centered community action. By centering the realities and perspectives of those deepest in the margins, we all win.
10 years in the making, this victory is historic and creates new possibility for Black children's lives. 10 years of ongoing resistance, community engagement, data collection, and consultation fatigue have resulted in the interruption of the school-to-prison pipeline. Most recently at our Freedom Day Action, we created space for Black teachers and students to present their visions for schools free of anti-Blackness and anti-Black policing. This included the permanent removal of the SRO Program. Director John Malloy and TDSB trustees were challenged by community to take seriously the demands of Black students, families, and communities. Tonight was their first step in doing so.
As we celebrate, we are always attuned to the context in which we organize. Like the removal of police contingents at Pride, we brace for the onslaught of the racists who will attempt to discredit, fear monger, and disseminate racist vitriol and propaganda.
They will say police in schools make some people feel safe; and subsequently, schools are now unsafe without SROs in them.
They will emphasize and overly circulate narratives of the benevolent SRO Joe, and the ever-caring SRO Jimmy.
They will say that the community engagement processes were unsubstantive and not reflective of the majority.
They will say BLMTO bullied trustees into this decision.
Fam, do not be fooled while the racists unmask themselves over the next little while.
Haters, for three years we’ve been telling you we will win; tonight, we won. Our communities won. Our families won. Our children won. We all won.
Much love to the dope coalition of peeps who fought with us in this battle: LAEN Latinx, Afro-Latin-America, Abya Yala Education Network Education Not Incarceration Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP) Educators for Peace and Justice and so many others
So much work ahead. But tonight, hug your Black child, student, sibling, parent and each other.
In love, rage, solidarity
BLMTO
Six years! Six years of struggle, of community, of love, of wins, of life in this city. So much has happened since we began that cold November day 6 years ago- campaigns, rallies, marches, occupations, demands, artworks, the city changing. Today we continue our fight for all Black lives to matter- to be considered inherently valuable. We deserve freedom, justice, and to live. We will never stop fighting until we are all free. Black! Lives! Matter!
Check out this conversation with Skylar and folks at 1492 LandBack Lane. The team there is prepping for winter and ongoing threats of violence from the state.
Indigenous resurgence now and always. There will never be justice for Black people on occupied land. Justice and power to the land defenders, today and always!
Black trans, non binary and gender non-conforming people, we love you. This is a love letter from us to us, with some words from those fighting alongside us to ensure the all #BlackTransLivesMatter . Thank you to Ayo Tsalithaba this incredible video creation. Thank you to LAL for the use of the song “Close”. TURN ON CAPTIONS as needed!
Join us to create a #NewNarrative for our community. ...
