Mich. Teachers Union Prez Suggests Using Students at Budget Protests

Here's a novel idea: why don't we teach our students the importance of civics by giving them the opportunity to protest state budget cuts? That was the suggestion of a Grand Rapids, MI teachers union president last night during a school board meeting.

"We need to demonstrate strength in numbers of real people. Real people who are impacted by the decisions these elected officials are going to make. Real people who vote," Grand Rapids Education Association President Paul Helder said. His ideas for unity include "voluntary educational civics field trips to Lansing to teach our students about the importance of having a voice in government" and "taking an action of some kind that requires the rescheduling of a day of school."

WOOD-TV reports:

According to WOOD, no one on the board supported Helder's suggestion, and instead opposed his idea of taking a day off to protest.

(H/T: Talk Radio AM 1230)