Providence Students Say "NO!" To the Achievement First Mayoral Academy

In October, a group of incredible Providence public school students organized a rally at the Rhode Island Department of Education in opposition to the Achievement First Charter proposal.

Occupy Providence, then in its first week of existence, voted to join in the protest as their first official direct action.

Hip hop artist, Head-Roc - an outspoken critic of the widespread corporate privatization of Washington DC's school system - came out to support the students and to call out these charter school chains on their racist practices and policies.

Five of the students were invited inside to discuss their concerns with Education Commissioner Deb Gist.  Her feeble attempt to sell them on Achievement First failed, and they re-joined their peers on the sidewalk with an even stronger desire to fight against corporate-driven education reform.