Beloved community, union supporters, teachers, parents, and students:

On August 23, the first day of the teachers strike in Youngstown, Ohio, Youngstown City Schools Executive Director of Elementary Education Aaron Bouie ran his car into an elementary school teacher on the picket line and then fled the scene. He fled as one of his own teachers lay injured on the ground. As of right now, no action has been taken to remove the offender from office or hold him accountable.

Is this what Youngstown City Schools is teaching us, that it fair to hit someone with a car and get away with it? That we can bully your opponents with acts of violence and intimidation rather than to talk with them in a fair and safe environment? OF COURSE NOT!

We ask that the community come together to send a serious message to the Youngstown school administration and say this violence and intimidation will not be tolerated. We ask the community to demand Bouie III be fired, and that a thorough investigation occur and criminal charges brought against Bouie III for his violent behavior and willful intimidation of peacefully striking teachers.

We call on all school board members, the Superintendent, and the school administration to do the right thing and send a message that violence and intimidation will not be tolerated by anyone in our district, including their own people. Show that you actually respect the teachers,, the students you serve, the parents who put their faith in the administration for their childrens' safety, and the community who elects you and pays your salary. Fire Bouie.

We call on the Youngstown Prosecutor's office to conduct an unbiased, thorough and timely investigation and, if the situation warrants it, to bring criminal charges against Bouie.

We call on the mayor of Youngstown to ensure that these things happen.

WHAT HAPPENED

On Wednesday August 23, Youngstown art teacher Shane Snyder was picketing  with fellow teachers from the Youngstown Education Association, who were just beginning their strike. Out of nowhere, Aaron Bouie III, Executive Director of Elementary Education, drove up and hit Snyder. As Snyder rolled off the car and landed in on the ground and laid in great pain, Bouie III fled the scene. Snyder then went to the hospital and is in recovery for his injuries.

This violent act occurred on the very first day of the Youngstown teachers strike, and seems as if it might have been a calculated attempt to intimidate workers from their constitutionally protected right to strike. This type of intimidation by management has a long and shameful history within labor, and it is the job of good hearted people to stand united against this type of harassment and intimidation whenever they see it. An injury to one is an injury to all!

A recent report confirmed that Bouie hit Snyder and fled the scene and has renewed our calls for justice.

We must stand united to say no to this violence, and to demand that any person who treats a teacher this way will be quickly and completely removed from office before they can hurt another.

Thank you for your time and concern in this campaign - we appreciate you. Also - you only have to put your name and email address in the form on the right - everything else just helps us know who is supporting this campaign.

Youngstown Teachers Solidarity, a coalition of Youngstown-area residents with deep roots in the community and a desire for community unity to support the hardworking teachers of YCSD (in no way affiliated with the union, but proud union supporters!)

#JusticeforShane

#IStandwithTeachers

(PS...have you seen our letter campaign to the school administration and in support of the teachers? It's here and has 2500+ letters sent - please send letters today!)