Juneteenth Anti-Racisim Rally Planned In Milton

MILTON, MA — A Juneteenth march and rally designed to support educators and students of color in Milton Public Schools is scheduled for Friday at Kelly Field.

The Milton Educators Association is organizing the rally in hopes of increasing the role that educators of color will have in choosing anti-racism curriculum, spurring a comprehensive review of Milton Public Schools' policies around staff and student discipline, and the creation of a policy and strategy addressing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the district.

Those attending the rally are asked to wear a face mask, maintain social distancing and bring a sign.

The march is planned to start at 5 p.m. at Kelly Field, proceed past Pierce Middle School and end at Central Administration at Milton High School.

"When asked by organizers if they could use Milton school property for the rally, the school committee agreed to it since we believe in freedom of expression," Milton School Committee Chair Sheila Egan Varela said. "We were also assured that the rally will respect and adhere to current COVID-19 state guidelines regarding large gatherings and safety."

Varela said the school committee offered to have school administrators speak at the event, but that request was denied.

"In the interest of solidarity and unity, we had asked organizers if the School Administration could address the rally participants to share what Milton Public Schools have been doing and continue to do regarding anti-racism, implicit bias and cultural competency," she said. "The decision was made by organizers to not have us, or anyone from school administration, speak. We will, of course, respect that decision. We will be there at the rally to listen to the speakers and march with our community in unity."

The march comes two weeks after Milton Public Schools said it received complaints concerning statements made about racial injustice made by a teacher during a remote poetry lesson. The teacher was placed on paid, administrative leave and the district began an investigation, but that the teacher was not disciplined and the leave was rescinded after a few hours.

A written and verbal apology was issued to the teacher.

"The manner in which these events unfolded caused pain to this employee of the Milton Public Schools," MPS said in a statement, "and negatively impacted students. This incident has caused the district to deeply reflect on our processes and practices as we consider academic freedom and the many complex facets of remote learning. We are engaging in conversations with stakeholders, including the Milton Educators Association and the community at large, around the important issues of race and social justice."