STAND UP FOR BAHRAIN TEACHERS!
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Nova High School teachers support Bahrain Teachers Association
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I support Bahraini teachers because in order to build a better future teachers and students need to be protected from repression and violence. - Erin Lasky, South Colonie Teachers Association
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Tim Evans of the United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, shows his support for Bahraini teachers. Free speech is a human right!
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Members of the Springville Faculty Association show their support for Bahraini teachers.
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Hang tough Bahrain teachers! In solidarity from the Monticello Teachers’ Association!
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Human rights are universal!
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A teacher from Kenmore, NY shows her support for the teachers of Bahrain!
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss
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What you can do to stand up for Bahrain teachers
With Amnesty International, the AFT is asking members to show support for your brothers and sisters in Bahrain. Then, document it with a photo, send it to us, and we’ll post the photo on this website for Bahrain teachers—and the world—to view.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Write your message. Write a phrase in support of Bahrain’s teachers on your blackboard, whiteboard or a flip chart. Be creative! Include your name if you like, the name of your school and your city on the board, and, if you are an AFT member, write American Federation of Teachers and the name or number of your local.
2. Take a picture. Ask someone to take a picture of you with your sign. Your colleagues can be in the photo, too.
3. Send it to us. E-mail the photo to iad@aft.org. Add an additional message in the body of your e-mail, if you wish. In a few days, you will see it on this website.
4. Post it to Facebook, too. We encourage you to add the picture to your Facebook profile and invite your friends to create their own protest photos.
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STAND UP FOR BAHRAIN TEACHERS!
The Bahrain government arrested nearly 3,000 citizens who participated in pro-democracy demonstrations last year as part of the Arab Spring. The government particularly cracked down on teachers and healthcare workers. While most have been released, many have lost their jobs. Worse, some of these professionals are still behind bars, having been tried and found guilty in military proceedings. Their right to appeal these unjust rulings has been delayed repeatedly.
Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the president of the Bahrain Teachers Association and Jalila Al Salman, BTA vice president, have been sentenced to 10 years and three years, respectively, for exercising their right to speech and free association. Al Salman has been released while awaiting her appeal, but Abu Dheeb, who has diabetes, is still imprisoned and suffering from poor health associated with his diabetes and the prison conditions.
The AFT, Education International and Amnesty International have filed protests on his behalf and are working to get him released while he awaits his appeal. More broadly, human rights groups are working on behalf of the many Bahrainis who are suffering from retaliatory acts of the government. Stand up for Abu Dheeb and his courageous colleagues who spoke out on behalf of freedom. Tell the Bahrain government that the world is behind the teachers.
