Draft Advisory
MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan 11, 2022
CONTACT: Tiffany Robinson, president@mlkjrpta.org, (971) 258-0063
FRIDAY: Parents, Students Gather to Save Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School
“We Say No to Systemic Racism in Portland Public Schools”
PORTLAND, OREGON — Portland Public Schools has announced plans to move Harriet Tubman Middle School and is considering dismantling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School to do so. To kick off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, community members are gathering Friday afternoon at 3:15 p.m. to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School with a student parade, food (to-go), live art project, and a loud, clear call to Portland Public Schools: “Invest in our schools, don’t shut us down.”
What: Community Celebration to Save Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School!
When: Friday, Jan 14, 3:15 p.m.
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
Who: Dr. MLK Jr PTA, students, families, community leaders
Dr. MLK Jr. School has been a home for Black families in Albina for generations. Fifty-four years ago, as a result of Black students organizing, the school became the first in the country to be named after Dr. King following his assassination. Today the school of 300+ students is still one of the most diverse in Oregon, and remains a home to many Black multi-generation school families.
“Our grandparents weren’t allowed to live anywhere but in Albina, and by now they’ve driven most of us out,” said PTA President Tiffany Robinson. “Dr. MLK Jr. School is one of the last homes we have here and now they’re trying to shut it down.”
Parents and students packed a recent meeting with PPS officials at Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary to show their support of the school and share what it means to the community. “At Dr. King school, we’re more than a building, we are a family,” said a student named Aljanae.”We are the namesake of the most significant civil rights leader in the history of time, because our students demanded it. We are a legacy, we are the future, we are the dream!”
A video of Aljanae’s remarks is online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/kingpta/permalink/4612930412095150/.
Read more at https://www.savedrmlkschool.com/