Detriot Teachers Union Up Against the Law

The Detriot Free Press reports:

They marched through the drizzly rain Saturday afternoon, carrying signs with sentiments like "Hands off my benefits" and "Protect our classrooms."

Just a day after a judge ordered Detroit teachers to return to school Monday, a handful of teachers, students and area activists took the fight straight to Detroit Board of Education President Jimmy Womack, as they protested in front of his home on McNichols.

"Womack, we're not going back without a contract!" they yelled. "Jimmy Womack, we want our money back!"

Wayne County Circuit Judge Susan Borman ordered Friday that new contract or not, the 7,000 Detroit Public School teachers, who have been on strike since Aug. 28, have to be back in school Monday.

But, some say, they won't go.

"Our union's historical position has been no contract, no work," said Jessica Curtin, a social studies teacher at Crockett High School, who picketed in front of Womack's house Saturday. "We're standing up for ourselves and our students and for quality schools."

Womack -- who said it was inappropriate for teachers to protest in front of his home while the two sides are still talking -- said their statements are ironic because many teachers don't live in Detroit, meaning their children are being educated, while the city's kids are forced to either stay home or move to other districts.

"The clear message is: Where we teach is not good enough for our children," Womack said.

Not many people really believe in public education in the inner cities.Ask Barak Obama or Rahm Emanuel where they send their kids to school.