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Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer’s Resolution to Recognize Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action Passes

For immediate release:

(Sacramento, California) – Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer (D- South Los Angeles) announced HR-12, a resolution recognizing the first week of February as Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, passed off the Assembly floor.

“The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action sets aside time to uplift the experiences of the Black community, and affirm individuals’ self-worth and right to be treated with respect,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. “This monumental week highlights the Black community’s achievements and contributions to the American experience while continuing the fight towards racial equity and social justice, and equality in education and economics.”

This call to action began in the fall of 2016 at Seattle’s John Muir Elementary School, where black students make up half of the school’s population. In spite of intimidation and even a bomb threat, teachers, pupils, and community members joined together and proudly wore “Black Lives Matter: We Stand Together” shirts to celebrate and uplift Black youth within their community.

Recognizing the resilience of the John Muir Elementary community in the face of hate, thousands of educators, school staff, pupils, families, and community members across the City of Seattle worked together to create the Black Lives Matter Day of Action. The movement soon spread across Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.

“Aligning with Black History Month, the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is a time of reflection and education on the rich culture and history of the Black community,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. “By highlighting the experiences often missing from history textbooks, we further affirm the experiences the Black community has overcome and all that our Black youth will achieve.”      

Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. represents South Los Angeles, Florence-Firestone, Walnut Park, and a portion of Huntington Park. For more information about Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, Sr., please visit https://a57.asmdc.org/