Black Lives Matter
A Statement from members of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors
The marches against police brutality across the country have been a powerful example for all. Under the clarion call “Black Lives Matter,” young people are showing their passion and commitment to justice.
Members of the Board of School Directors of Milwaukee Public Schools stand with Black youth and their communities in opposing all racist systems of oppression including laws, policies, and government actions. The disproportionate rates of suspensions and expulsions, mass incarceration, the war on drugs, unjust policing, voter suppression, and the underfunding of public schools, as well as, structural policies like redlining, gentrification, employment discrimination, and more— all have disastrous consequences on Black communities.
W.E.B. Dubois said, “The educators of Black youth must believe in them. They must have faith in them and their community. They must trust them and encourage them and defend them.”
Members of the MPS Board of School Directors will be calling on and working with the Superintendent and the Administration to engage the school district in discussion with MPS students and families. We are committed to the emotional and physical safety of Black students and other youth of color. It means that our schools and classrooms must be safe spaces for dialogue, listening to students, and support on the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement. We have a responsibility to end the school-to-prison pipeline and ensure that the curriculum is anti-racist and culturally relevant.
More immediately, we call upon the Milwaukee Police Department to publicly renounce the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other aggressive measures against peaceful protesters exercising their first amendment rights.
Members of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors are calling on all educators, families and community to join us in this effort.
Black Lives Matter!
Download a copy of the full statement from
members of the Board of School Directors.
More about the 2020 Racial Justice Protests
- Evers Reflects on Year of Pandemic, Protests - Shawn Johnson - Dec 28th, 2020
- The Year of the National Guard - Jenny Peek - Dec 28th, 2020
- Baldwin Questions U.S. Marshall’s Role in Tosa Protests - Isiah Holmes - Dec 19th, 2020
- Op Ed: Vote No on COPS Grant - Markasa Tucker - Dec 18th, 2020
- People’s Revolution Marks 200 Days of Protest - Graham Kilmer - Dec 15th, 2020
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Activists on 200th Day of Protests - Sup. Ryan Clancy - Dec 14th, 2020
- The “Molotov Cocktail” That Wasn’t - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- City Hall: Police Chief, Alderman Fight Over Use of Canines - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- Will BLM Movement Sway State Voters? - Bridgit Bowden - Oct 20th, 2020
- City Hall: Community Groups Propose Changes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 19th, 2020
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Board of School Directors
Larry Miller Elected President, Milwaukee Board of School Directors
May 1st, 2019 by Milwaukee Board of School DirectorsLuis Antonio (Tony) Báez Elected Vice-President, Committee Assignments Announced
Milwaukee Board of School Directors Approves Montessori Strategic Plan
Mar 29th, 2019 by Milwaukee Board of School DirectorsNow that the Plan has been adopted, the Montessori Advisory Committee will begin to coordinate and implement the plan.
Milwaukee Board of School Directors Keeps Daniel Webster Secondary School Open
Sep 1st, 2017 by Milwaukee Board of School DirectorsThe Board anticipates receiving a plan from the district administration for the future of the Webster Campus by November 2017.
