As Chicago Public Schools announced the cancellation of a seventh day of classes, hundreds of striking educators and support staff at Chicago Teachers Union headquarters Thursday received civil disobedience training.
The training session signals that members of the CTU and SEIU Local 73 are planning to escalate their demonstration efforts — and potentially face arrest. During the presentation, led by an SEIU Healthcare official and a staffer for presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders’ political team, strikers were coached on blocking traffic and shutting down building lobbies.
“We are probably under a consensus and agreement that what we want to do is what is going to advance our message as clearly as possible and put as much possible pressure on the mayor to settle this problem as quickly as possible,” said Alex Han, the Sanders staffer.
Despite members agreeing that any protests would remain nonviolent, they were all prepped for being arrested as part of future demonstrations. They were told to avoid carrying anything that isn’t necessary and advised to use the restroom and bundle up in the case they’re locked up.
“Jail cells can be cold. They are known to be not the most luxurious places to stay,” noted Beth Menz, vice president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas.
Members with outstanding legal issues and concerns about their immigration status were asked not to participate in certain actions. As were individuals who rely on certain medications and serve as caregivers.
After splitting up into small groups and briefly shutting down the intersection of Carroll and Damen avenues, the teachers and school support staff also practiced holding a sit-in inside the lobby of the CTU headquarters.
When they returned to the auditorium, about a third of the group raised their hands to signal they were willing to be arrested. Those members then filled out forms circulated to identify their emergency contacts.
While individuals who are arrested will likely be issued a citation and released on a recognizance bond, Han said the unions will nevertheless offer legal services and support. However, striking teachers could still be reprimanded by the school district.
A spokesperson for the teachers union, who asked not to be named, noted that CPS “has a track record of retaliating against members … who participated in political actions that have resulted in arrest.”
“Any retaliation that CPS engages in against a member is something that we will bring the full force of the union forward to defend them,” the spokesperson said.