The Rev. Al Sharpton on Tuesday will be the keynote speaker in Norwalk at a rally to highlight the injustice of Tanya McDowell, the Bridgeport woman arrested for allegedly using a false address to send her child to a Norwalk school. From the NAACP:
The Norwalk Branch NAACP, along with the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP, will hold a rally “Equal Education for All” on Tuesday, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Elementary School, 382 Highland Ave.
The rally will also celebrate the 57th anniversary of the landmark school desegregation decision, Brown v. Board of Education.
The rally by the NAACP comes amidst national outcry around Tanya McDowell, a single mother facing criminal charges for allegedly using a false address to send her child to Brookside Elementary School.
The 33-year-old homeless woman, last known to be living in Bridgeport, could serve 20 years in jail and pay nearly $16,000 in restitution.
Two Norwalk lawmakers, state Reps. Bruce Morris, D-140, and Lawrence F. Cafero, R-142, who is also the House minority leader, are seeking to change the way that parents are punished when they illegally enroll their children outside of the cities where they live.
For more information about the rally, visit the State Conference website at www.naacp-ct.org or the Norwalk NAACP website
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Why did she not send her child to a Bridgeport school? Is the school system so bad she would risk jail? If truly homeless then how can her actual residence be verified?
She was living with Tom Lombard.
charlie // Jun 5, 2011 at 11:54 am
to your posting
Charlie,
You serve as a compelling “amicus curiae” on behalf of Ms. McDowell. I would hope I could sum up the state of our city’s public education system as well as this woman did by her actions … and as well as you pointed out so brilliantly. But then we must go onto mention the particular level of insensitivity demonstrated on the part of those in government power to now punish the victim … as is happening to Ms. McDowell.
It is a convergence of circumstances that highlight this case for the miscarriage and abuse of authority that occurred. Scenarios are played out like this each day in many other places, including most especially the City of Bridgeport as well.
I am probably not telling you anything you don’t already know, charlie, but Ms. McDowell places greater value on the promise of a good education than the Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools does … She is a woman of courage.
In lieu of the fact we all are opinionated on OIB … McDowell support should come forward from us as an OIB response to the contradictions of it all … Meet, drink, have Ms McDowell talk a few moments and give her a bunch of money …
Does that work for you?
It does in the respect I am trying my best in my small insignificant way to bring entry-level jobs to the city.
Carolanne Curry,
Once again I am stunned by your eloquence. I wonder if you would consider dumping John Gomes and running for Mayor yourself. You would have many supporters at OIB. Give it some thought.
The Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools at least was smart enough to send his kids to a private school.
But he doesn’t know the meaning of “amicus curiae,” nor does he know how to make this public school system work effectively or efficiently.
Even homeless people realize Ramos can’t educate our children. This was a tragic circumstance that cast BPT into the national headlights once again as a city of assholes. The time, money, & energy committed to prosecuting is further proof of our stupidity. Al Sharpton wouldn’t even have gotten on the bus if she were a white woman. Here is what will happen: The NAACP should come in and set up a scholarship for this child to attend Yale. I hope Sharpton donates his proceeds to a homeless shelter. But I think we all know what the odds of that are. More political grandstanding at its finest.
Sharpton has never paid his dues to Steven Pagones, the district attorney in Wappinger Falls NY, who he accused of being a rapist and racist in the Tawana Brawley case. Sharpton lost the civil case against Pagones because he falsely accused Pagones and Pagones was awarded a substantial settlement which Sharpton never paid. He never paid it because he has hidden his assets and has no ministry to call his own. He, Sharpton, is a loudmouthed bully who plays the race card at every turn regardless of the consequences.
Off the post,
James Keyser, phone home.
*** Regardless of what people may think of Mr. Sharpton, he’s one hell of a public speaker! *** Can I get a witness? ***
Mojo,
Yeah, a Jehovah’s Witness. How many do you want? My neighborhood is full of them. Can I put you down for a bus load? I’ll even pay for the bus.
Ron, just telling the truth …
The American Black Community has a plethora of bright, competent, productive, honest, well-meaning and substantial people. Sharpton is NOT among them.