Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1539593
San Diego Education Association (SDEA) held workshops at their annual Union Academy before the school year started to educate members about their rights and protections for their students and families. immigrant rights rapid response network. We're inspired by UTL A (United Teachers Los Angeles) in collaborating with local community organizations like CHIRL A (the Coalition f o r Hu m a n e Im m i g ra n t R i g h t s) ," We i n b e rg say s. " We want to p ar tn er w ith c ommunity organizations in San Diego to plug our mem- bers into larger efforts. We want to be able to serve that critical role." While Weinberg says SDEA has worked hard to ensure school district leadership prioritizes p r o t e c t i n g s t u d e n t s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s , h e knows direct action is needed to defend fami- lies under attack. " We know that we can't stop at policies on paper and a shared commitment to keep ICE off campus," says Weinberg. "As educators, we know that what happens off campus impacts our school communities, too. As union educators we know that we have the power to fight for what matters to us: Safe, stable, welcoming schools and communities, both within and outside the school doors." Supporting immigrant communities through education and partnerships U TL A has been in constant action to defend and support Los Angeles' immigrant commu- nities since the inauguration, building on its work during the last Trump presidency. It has launched an education campaign on L.A. Uni- fied's sanctuary schools policy, and is building a structure to guide their immigration work and holding a variety of workshops to engage and inform UTLA members. " We have educators in all eight of our areas who are participating in rapid response teams," says Maria Miranda, UTLA vice president who is leading the union's immigration defense work. "We held a training series in "As unioneducatorsweknowthatwehavethepowertofightforwhatmatterstous: Safe, stable, welcoming schools and communities, both within and outside the school doors." —San Diego Education Assn. President Kyle Weinberg Continued on Page 18 16 cta.org Feature Kyle Weinberg