Schools

Newark Students March in Protest of Christie Policies

Peaceful 'boycott' ended at the home of Superintendent Cami Anderson

Chanting “Whose schools? Our schools” and “Cami must go!” a few hundred Newark public school students marched from downtown to the Kinney Street home of Superintendent Cami Anderson to protest the educational policies of Gov. Chris Christie, who’s seeking election to a second term Tuesday.  

“On a daily basis these young people experience the consequences of Chris Christie's intentional underfunding of public schools, his refusal to follow the funding formula and his total lack of concern for local control of our public schools,” stated Trina Scordo, executive director of NJ Communities United, which organized the protest with the Newark Students Union. “Today’s protest clearly demonstrates the frustration felt by Newark’s students.”

The protest march began on Clinton Street, then proceeded south on Mulberry Street to Anderson’s Kinney Street home, where the group of students called on Anderson to return a $50,000 performance bonus she received from the state government several weeks ago. Anderson did not appear during the march and it was unclear if she was at the home. 

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Newark’s public schools are run by state education officials in Trenton, and Anderson was appointed by Christie in 2011 to serve as head of the state’s largest public school district.

The youths, many of whom were carrying signs, were escorted by Newark police and Newark school security.

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Several months ago, the Newark Students Union orchestrated a walkout involving more than 1,000 students to protest proposed budget cuts to the district.


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