MILWAUKEE — A group of protesters is planning to march to Mayor Tom Barret's home Sunday in an effort to open Milwaukee schools.
The group, organized by some Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS) teachers and staff, is protesting a decision by the health department that prevents Milwaukee schools from reopening in the fall.
According to a press release from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, "Other Milwaukee municipal, recreational, and suburban school districts are opening. We believe if Milwaukee schools are not allowed to open, this will widen the achievement gap, create mental health risks, and for WLHS suppress the spiritual welfare of our students."
The group will be meeting at Wick Playground parking lot on 51st and Vliet St. around 5 p.m. They will then march to Mayor Barrett's home.
The news comes after Milwaukee Montessori School urged families to call and write city officialsasking for a change to the public health order requiring all schools to stay closed.
The order from the city says, "public and private K-12 schools shall remain closed for in-person pupil instruction and extracurricular activities until further notice. Schools may continue to facilitate distance or virtual learning."
The people organizing this march claim that this change was done secretly and Milwaukee school administrators and teachers were kept in the dark.
In their press release, they wrote, "WLHS recently became aware that—without notification—the City of Milwaukee Health Department changed its criteria for allowing face-to-face learning this fall for all public and private K12 schools and universities in the City of Milwaukee."
The group continued on by saying that a majority of WLHS parents support the reopening of schools.
"We understand that this current time is difficult and that many may feel differently about opening schools. However, over 70% of WLHS’ parents made it clear that they favor opening face-to-face this fall and are overall satisfied with the mitigation measures we have put in place."
March organizers are asking the community and anyone who agrees with their march come out to Wick Playground and support their movement.
