Rally Postponed; Educational Change Community Conversation Set

JOLIET, IL - About 30 minutes before Educators for Students were going to march from Edna Keith Elementary School to Joliet Township High School July 11, organizers made the call to postpone the march to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 18.

"We just felt like we don't want to put anyone's safety in harm's way," Laura Jackson said.

In a rainy parking lot Saturday, Jackson explained that there were a couple lines of thunderstorms headed to our area back to back on Saturday and that while the march would have taken place in rain, thunder and lightning is different.

The organization previously held a four-school rally on June 13.

The march had about 150 people who had marked they were interested on the organization's Facebook page, with about 50 who had checked attending, but Jackson said not everyone in the organization is a Facebook user.

"We were probably anticipating 75 to 100 people for sure and another 75 saying they were interested," she said.

In the meantime, the organization has set a community conversation for 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 15 on Zoom.

"Join Educators for Students for our first Zoom chat to engage in meaningful conversations about changing the educational experience for our students," the flier states. "This space will be a time to voice your concerns, ask questions and provide suggestions on how to take this momentum for social justice into our schools."

Educators for Students is also planning a march from Hufford Junior High School to Joliet West High School and back to Hufford on August 1.

"Both marches will have educators speak at the events," Jackson said.