Press release from Asheville Association of Educators (ACAE):
Since the attack on Parkland High School two months ago, students in schools across the United States have risen up, demanding action to ensure their safety at schools. In Asheville, students organized the “March for our Lives” rally on March 24 and have spoken powerfully about the need to end gun violence.
To show support for students here in Western North Carolina and across the country, ACAE is planning a rally on April 20 at 6pm. Educators, students, and community members will gather at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville to support our students on this issue.
Some politicians have suggested that students should be protected by arming teachers with firearms. ACAE strongly opposes this proposal, and the rally’s name, “Arm Me With,” reflects the need to arm teachers instead with the tools they need to teach: classroom supplies, up-to-date textbooks, school-based mental health professionals, fully funded reductions in class size and more.
During this event, state and local elected officials will speak about their plans to protect schools and communities from gun violence. Students, teachers, and parents will also speak, and volunteers will circulate to ensure that everyone eligible is registered to vote.
Primary elections in NC will be held on May 8, 2018. This rally is a chance for Western North Carolina to gather together one last time before the primaries to make sure concerns about gun violence and school safety are reflected in the ballot box.
For more information, visit the rally’s Facebook event page or contact Angie Cathcart, ACAE president, at ncae.acae@gmail.com.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.