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Pictures from Philadelphia renown photographer of social movements, Harvey Finkle

What You Should Know About the Philly Student Walkout

PCAPS was out in force today.   PFT members had informational pickets in the morning at their schools.   PCAPS members went to Council to demonstrate and testify in favor of the Use and Occupancy Reform bill sponsored by Maria Quinones Sanchez which takes away the tax breaks for big corporate landlords under AVI while offering protection to small businesses, a measure that will raise money for our schools.   And thousands of students, responding to a call for a walkout by Philadelphia Student Union, Youth United for Change and other student groups,  marched on the School District and City Hall.   PCAPS also helped organize marshalls for the event.

The clear message in all these actions is we will not tolerate further cuts to schools that are on life support.    Nor is it is acceptable to solve the budget crisis on the backs of teachers and working people while big business reaps tax cuts from the City.

The U & O reform bill was voted out of committee which means Council will vote on it.   With major opposition from the Chamber of Commerce and its allies and the Mayor focused on regressive sin taxes, we will need to continue to press for the passage of this bill along with the rest of our platform.

PFT members at Greenfield Elementary

Students approach City Hall

In City Council sign  targets winners and losers with AVI

The ten biggest corporate property owners will realize tax savings of over 16 million dollars next year thanks to AVI.   Meanwhile school children will go to schools on life support.

Here are some big winners.

Franklin Mills Associates: Property  has market value of 180 million dollars, will pay 3,446,496 dollars less in property taxes next year

1650 Market St. owned by Phila. Liberty Place, market value: $207,713,500, will realize a tax savings of $2,797,936 thanks to AVI next year

Nine Penn Center Associates, Market value: $232,575,800

Tax Savings next year $2,465,338

Meanwhile the biggest losers: Philadelphia Schools, Budget next year slashed by 40%

And Philadelphia Teachers and support staff who next year are being asked for 133 million dollars in wage and benefit concessions.

Things are upside down and we need to set them right.   Come to City Council on Friday at 9:30 to demand corporate landlords pay their fair share to fund our schools.   And support our students when they walkout to protest this doomsday budget on the same day.

Join teachers in informational picketing at schools on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 8:00 A.M.-8:30 A.M. Some times may vary for schools that start earlier (like our high schools).