First amendment
Follow up to DoE saying no campaign buttons. My post here. Gotham Schools post here.
This e-mail raises an important issue. If you are in a school where the principal instructs your to “de-button,” you should do so, inform your Chapter Leader, who should inform the District Rep. We don’t need teachers and other UFT members getting written up for insubordination while UFT Central is trying to solve this through negotiations (or court)
DOE is taking the position that our members cannot wear candidate buttons in school. Randi is committed to fighting this, including going to court to protect our first amendment rights. Members who are told by their principals not to wear buttons should let their district representative know. Remind them that failure to comply with a directive could lead to disciplinary charges. [Our counsel] and others are in contact with the DOE and we hope to have this matter settled as soon as possible.
Expect the UFT to win this, and expect to see lots of Obama buttons in schools…
