Subject: FOR RESEARCH: Education Call Excerpts
From: "Price, Jenna" <[email-masked]>
To: RR2 <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 5 May 2016 14:26:39 -0700

For Immediate Release
May 5, 2016

Contact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148

AFT President Randi Weingarten & Rep. Mark Pocan Blast Trump’s Effect on Schools
(Excerpts From DNC Media Call Below):
“As teachers, we’re going to have to work harder to help an entire generation of children recover from the hateful rhetoric that Trump has aimed at immigrants, Muslims and Black Lives Matter protestors.” – Randi Weingarten
Today, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Representative Mark Pocan joined a DNC media call to discuss Teacher Appreciation Week and the disaster that Donald Trump would bring to the American education system.

Below find excerpts from the call:

American Federation of Teachers President, Randi Weingarten

“There is a huge difference in the way that Democrats nurture, honor and are grateful for teachers compared to the presumptive nominee of the Republican party. What we’ve seen with Donald Trump is that there is now a new phenomenon in schools called the ‘Trump Effect’. Washington Post op-ed writer Petula Dvorak wrote about how it will take decades to overcome the way Donald Trump speaks and promotes violence, xenophobia and racism. This is creating bullying environments in schools across the country.

“As teachers, we’re going to have to work harder to help an entire generation of children recover from the hateful rhetoric that Trump has aimed at immigrants, Muslims and Black Lives Matter protestors. Donald Trump appeals to the worst elements in our country. It’s not a surprise to me that Trump also does not respect teachers, or public education. Teachers are on the opposite side [of Trump], as we try to increase understanding and acceptance.

“He has not just called for the elimination of the Department of Education, he has fleeced students with his fraudulent Trump University scheme—promising them a high-quality college degree but only delivering them a worthless degree, crippling debt and an uncertain future.

“It’s not a surprise that one of Trump’s top surrogates, and possible running mates, is the infamous ‘I want to punch teachers in the face’ Chris Christie. Chris Christie as governor has been vehemently anti-teacher and anti-public education.

“Your actions speak louder than words, and on Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re seeing the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party doing things that will create great harm. Trump is creating a climate of bullying, instead of uniting students together. The leader of the GOP who is now pushing this cynical and feckless political strategy that exploits unfounded fears of immigrants, minorities, the poor and women in a way that is dividing the country, making our country a less civil place to be. […]

“It’s a disaster to our nation if Trump is selected president. He has already done tremendous damage to education…It’s about creating an environment of scapegoating, demonizing, attacking and bullying. All of that is showing up on TV screens each night that is influencing children and behavior in schools. We have a responsibility to help children by promoting understanding and tolerance and celebrate diversity. What Trump is doing is the opposite. This is a very dangerous turn in American democracy.”

Representative Mark Pocan

“As Democrats, we are proud to stand with teachers. Unfortunately this enthusiasm isn’t shared on the other side of the aisle. As Randi said, Donald Trump has a history of attacks on education and teachers. He has called for teachers unions to be weakened, he has called for eliminating the department of Education, and he has sought to profit off of students trying to improve their futures through his fraudulent Trump University.

“As Randi said, Trump’s nomination was not an accident. Republican leaders paved the way for Donald Trump with their years of divisive rhetoric and obstructionist policies. Trump’s recklessness would hurt our economy, diminish our standing in the world, and make our communities less safe. Trump is dangerous, and he lacks the judgment or temperament to be president.

“And just like Republicans in Washington have done for years, Dangerous Donald is only looking out for himself. Again, look no further than his fraudulent Trump University as evidence. He fleeced thousands of Americans looking to get ahead for his own personal enrichment.

“Trump owes everything to the tens of millions of dollars in loans and bailouts he received from his family. He does not understand the struggle that regular families face or what it takes for the average American to get ahead. His businesses have repeatedly gone bankrupt, leaving investors, contractors and small businesses holding the bag for his disastrous business decisions. Trump actually said at one of the Republican Party’s debates that ‘wages are too high’ and opposed raising the minimum wage. On education and the economy, our country can’t afford Donald Trump.”

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