The Picketing of El Mirador updated on March 19, 2008
In the late morning of Saturday March 15, 2008 protesters trickled into their pre-arranged meeting place. This had become a planned effort between three schools ~ Travis Elementary, Horace Mann Academy, & Caroll Academy. This group spanned the spectrum of age, race~ white, black, latino, & marital status~ single-moms, married couples, even those who don't have children of their own came to help. Despite some of their differences they united in a show of solidarity against the SAISD board president, Julian Trevino, the restaurant's owner.
The group caravaned through downtown San Antonio towards their intended target full of anticipation, sure of their mission. They'd be met with more of their group at the restaurant's door. Turns out they were also met by a Channel 4/WOAI news cameraman. He was great! He filmed footage and gave us the opportunity to say our piece in a short interview that was aired in it's entirety that afternoon at 5pm. And again at 10pm, without the interview.
The protesters settled in with their signs & their chants for the next hour and a half or so. It was a group of about 20 adults and children. We would have had more participants if it had not been for the spring break holiday and the threat of retaliation that some fear.
It was a beautiful day for a picket. It was warm but thankfully not a scorcher. Good thing some of us remembered to bring the bottled water. We even saw some shriners on their little go-carts and green decorated floats from the St. Patrick's day parade go by on Durango Street.
Flyers were handed out to patrons of the restaurant, either as they entered the premises or as they left. We handed them to people who were out for a walk that afternoon. The majority of people we encountered were very nice. They took the flyers. Read them. Some took the time to ask us questions. Although there was that woman in the white SUV that shrieked 'GO HOME!' as she barrelled down St. Mary's Street. Well, I guess it takes all kinds doesn't it?
Maybe she doesn't realize that we live in America where we have the freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble. Maybe she feels that families defending their children's education is not worthy enough of a cause. Maybe she's really lucky that no one is trying to close her kids' school. YET. Maybe she doesn't even realize that we're fighting for her too. ~shrug~
I personally had an interesting dialogue with a UTSA political science professor. And by interesting, I mean, well you decide. He said the superintendent's first responsibility was to the taxpayers. Silly me! I thought his first responsibility was to the children he's supposed to be in charge of educating. ~shrug, again~
The professor also suggested that what we were doing by picketing Trevino's restaurant was not 'fair'. Fair? Seriously? He seemed to feel that a person shouldn't be financially targeted for a political decision made. I beg to differ. When a politician, or an organization, hits a community where it hurts most~ our children's lives, the community has every right to strike back where it'll hurt most. We chose his restaurant. This time.
We felt very satisfied about how it all went. We did what we set out to do. We received some media coverage and were very happy with the final product. If what we hear is true, looks like we ruffled some feathers on the board. I wonder how Duron felt about being called about a picket while he was out of town?