United Teacher Los Angeles Human Rights Committee presented its inaugural forum on militarism in our schools. Student organizers, activists and long time counter militarism group took part in a panel discussions and workshops.

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Panel and workshop introduction by Arlene Inouye.

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-Los Angeles School District spends over two million on JROTC yet can’t provide basic classroom needs.

-Student’ privacy and equal access requirements are being violated.

-2.5 billion a year spent on military recruiting.

-UC and Cal State system cut by 53 million dollars, neediest students lose 13% of their financial aid.

-California K-12 funding slashed by 1.5 billion dollars yet academic performance mandates increase.

Information courtesy of UTLA Human Right Committee.

“Food for Thought” Photos taken at Year of the Monkey Chinese New Years Parade in downtown Los Angeles

-79% of 12th graders at Roosevelt High had seen a military recruiter, 28.8% had seen a college recruiter.

-Over 40% of cadets who complete JROTC join the military, the vast majority as enlisted personnel.

-As of 2003 5,521 LAUSD students in 29 high schools were enrolled in JROTC.

-Since 1992 JROTC enrollment has doubled nation wide with 3500 programs.

- JROTC courses are of no academic value providing no college prep requirements.

Information courtesy of UTLA Human Right Committee.

“Food for Thought” Photos taken at Year of the Monkey Chinese New Years Parade in downtown Los Angeles

-Nearly a fifth of US military fatalities in Iraq are black.

-57% of GI’s signing up for educational programs don’t get them, 23% receive only half.

-Latinos represents 13% of the US population and 25% of army combat units.

-JROTC targets the poor in Central and East Los Angeles; no programs are west of Fairfax High.

-JROTC classes are more expensive to run than regular classes.

Information courtesy of UTLA Human Right Committee.

“Food for Thought” Photos taken at Year of the Monkey Chinese New Years Parade in downtown Los Angeles