11/05/07: Protesters oppose military ads - Truth and Alternatives to Militarism in Education
Protesters oppose military ads
By Brittany Schoepp
Dozens of peace activists, teachers and students showed up to the Madison School Board meeting Monday night to protest several new U.S. Army advertisements at district athletic stadiums and high school gyms.
Although protesters marched outside the Doyle Administration Building for 90 minutes and gave public comments to the board for more than two hours, the board could not discuss the issue Monday because it was not on the agenda.
John Rademacher, a science teacher at Madison West High School, brought his 6- and 7-year old children to the protest, holding signs that read "Ads Influence Me " and "Don 't Sell Me Out. "
"I think it 's ridiculous that there are ads in school at all. It 's a public school, so we shouldn 't be selling out to advertisers, " Rademacher said.
Rademacher said the military ads, which ask "Are you Army Strong? " and give a phone number for a local recruiting station, were "particularly troublesome " because they go against values schools teach, such as conflict resolution.
Will Williams, a Vietnam veteran and member of several local peace organizations, stressed that many of the protestors were not anti-military.
"We know there is a need for military, " he said. "But students are being bombarded. "
He said the ads and other military visits, such as bringing in a portable climbing wall and military vehicles, "circumvent " the district 's policy that says recruiters can visit a high school just three days each year. The policy also states that all military recruitment materials should be placed only in guidance offices.
School Board President Arlene Silveira said she does not believe the ads violate the district 's policy and said that with more state funding, the School Board wouldn 't be in the position to turn to advertising to balance its budget.
"The state funding system is broken, " she said.
Williams called the $17,700 paid by the Army to display the ads for three years a "minute " amount compared to the district 's budget of more than $360 million.
David Miller, a Memorial High School student who is enlisting in the service, disagreed with the protesters and said the military should be given the same chance to advertise in schools as other career or school options.
"High school students are old enough to make decisions, " Miller said. "When I hear teachers and all talking about taking down these signs because they find them offensive, I find that offensive. "
About 1 percent to 3 percent of Madison high school students have indicated plans to enter the military after graduation in recent years.
Several sophomores from James Madison Memorial High School 's Students for Progressive Causes each spoke in favor of limiting the prevalence of military recruitment, including the signs.
"I think it 's ridiculous they think we 're capable of making a decision to sign our life away, " Seb Harris, one of the students, said, noting most high school students can 't vote.
To revisit the issue, four board members would need to request to bring the issue back for reconsideration.
Silveira said she did not yet have a sense of whether four board members would do so.
By Brittany Schoepp
Dozens of peace activists, teachers and students showed up to the Madison School Board meeting Monday night to protest several new U.S. Army advertisements at district athletic stadiums and high school gyms.
Although protesters marched outside the Doyle Administration Building for 90 minutes and gave public comments to the board for more than two hours, the board could not discuss the issue Monday because it was not on the agenda.
John Rademacher, a science teacher at Madison West High School, brought his 6- and 7-year old children to the protest, holding signs that read "Ads Influence Me " and "Don 't Sell Me Out. "
"I think it 's ridiculous that there are ads in school at all. It 's a public school, so we shouldn 't be selling out to advertisers, " Rademacher said.
Rademacher said the military ads, which ask "Are you Army Strong? " and give a phone number for a local recruiting station, were "particularly troublesome " because they go against values schools teach, such as conflict resolution.
Will Williams, a Vietnam veteran and member of several local peace organizations, stressed that many of the protestors were not anti-military.
"We know there is a need for military, " he said. "But students are being bombarded. "
He said the ads and other military visits, such as bringing in a portable climbing wall and military vehicles, "circumvent " the district 's policy that says recruiters can visit a high school just three days each year. The policy also states that all military recruitment materials should be placed only in guidance offices.
School Board President Arlene Silveira said she does not believe the ads violate the district 's policy and said that with more state funding, the School Board wouldn 't be in the position to turn to advertising to balance its budget.
"The state funding system is broken, " she said.
Williams called the $17,700 paid by the Army to display the ads for three years a "minute " amount compared to the district 's budget of more than $360 million.
David Miller, a Memorial High School student who is enlisting in the service, disagreed with the protesters and said the military should be given the same chance to advertise in schools as other career or school options.
"High school students are old enough to make decisions, " Miller said. "When I hear teachers and all talking about taking down these signs because they find them offensive, I find that offensive. "
About 1 percent to 3 percent of Madison high school students have indicated plans to enter the military after graduation in recent years.
Several sophomores from James Madison Memorial High School 's Students for Progressive Causes each spoke in favor of limiting the prevalence of military recruitment, including the signs.
"I think it 's ridiculous they think we 're capable of making a decision to sign our life away, " Seb Harris, one of the students, said, noting most high school students can 't vote.
To revisit the issue, four board members would need to request to bring the issue back for reconsideration.
Silveira said she did not yet have a sense of whether four board members would do so.
Submitted by wnpj on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 8:20am.