school board 1On March 18th 2014 NC HEAT, EJA and YOI attended the Wake County School board meeting with a powerful message and presence. Each NC HEAT member wore an orange jail jumpsuit to bring attention to the school-to- prison-pipeline epidemic in Wake County.  Several Wake county students and parents spoke out against the punitive discipline practices such as suspension, expulsion and school-based arrest that are systemically pushing students out of school and into jail.  The message was powerful,  but our hearts were heavy as we speak out against the imprisonment of another youth of color, Selina Garcia.

Selina wrote a powerful letter to the community about the traumatic experience of being hand cuffed in front of her peers and transported to an adult prison. Our message was clear.  As NC HEAT member  Markyona Patrick stated, we need change now to avoid getting another youth trapped in the school-to-prison pipeline! We will continue to attend board meetings and highlight this injustice until we see the change that the community needs.

Media Coverage

ABC 11 

Independent Weekly

News and Observer

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