The Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU), in partnership with the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA), Student’s Organizing for An Multicultural Open Society (SOMOS), Organizing Black, Media Justice, AFSCME Maryland, Communities United, BARS: Baltimore Asian Resistance in Solidarity, and others led a car caravan through Baltimore to the local Comcast corporate headquarters at 1215 East Fort Ave. By the time the caravan began it was over 100 cars strong, two dozen bike riders and had two school busses along for the ride! The demands of the organizers included 1) increasing the upload and download speeds offered as part of the Internet Essentials package, 2) ensure Internet Essentials eligibility for all students and educators regardless of their current plan, and 3) demand all Xfinity hotspots, including leased Comcast modems, be free for students and educators. Despite the pouring rain, a crowd of over 60 supporters gathered at the Comcast building to listen to BTU President Diamonté Brown, PGCEA President Theresa Dudley, SOMOS organizer Kimberly Vasquez, and others speak about the need for Comcast to meet the moment and ensure every student in Maryland has access to high speed broadband internet before school begins this fall.
“They gave us crumbs. They gave us the high-speed essentials package that is absolutely insufficient for meeting the demands of our students and our educators” BTU President Diamonté Brown.
Facebook Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=592625778092266
Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fwRAjQ1MbCY8xLjMA
Media links:
- Baltimore Sun – story & video (video has interviews and footage of the caravan & rally)
- Fox45 Baltimore – brief story, printed all three of our local demands
- Baltimore Brew – printed demands and route (written before action)