Social Justice

An Educator’s Right to Speech
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The brutal killing of George Floyd in Minnesota ignited a powder-keg of protests around the world. The arrogance of the police officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, in broad daylight, while people filmed, and Floyd cried out for his mother has exposed this nation’s history of racism. Many of us in Utah have been actively involved in peaceful protests. Current events bring home the much needed work around racial justice in our communities and schools.

GEA has been at the forefront of human and civil rights issues in our District. GEA members have been meeting over the years to learn about the concerns teachers and students of color have in our schools and stand together to speak out for change. These active members have created training around trauma-informed schools, racial justice, and support for our LBGTQ community members. If you are interested in finding resources on Human and Civil Rights, click this link to GEA’s website: 
https://www.gea-ut.org/human-and-civil-rights.html

The role of your AdvoCats through this is to offer the best advice for teachers who choose to be on the front lines of protesting. Following are some guidelines we would like to share as you make the decision to join a protest.

• The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) has no exception for arrests/citations due to conduct amounting to civil disobedience.
• The costs related for criminal defense should you be arrested would not be covered by GEA/UEA/NEA (Unified Legal Services Program) because the conduct would be considered outside the scope of employment.  However, defense of any related employment or license investigation and discipline would be covered and should you be arrested, you will need to contact an attorney first, GEA second, and your District HR within 48 hours.
• If you are protesting, be sure to write key phone numbers on your body in permanent marker before you go out. GEA will not be able to post bail for you, so don’t make our number the one you list; we should not be your first call. Choose someone close with whom you trust.
• If you are arraigned on a criminal charge before you can retain an attorney, keep in mind a plea of “not guilty” does NOT mean you did not commit the offense; rather a plea of not guilty means the state (or county, or city) does not have sufficient evidence to successfully prosecute you beyond a reasonable doubt. 
• You do not have to speak with a police officer without an attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, request one to the officer. Don’t be bullied into giving a statement under pressure. Simply say, “I am happy to answer your questions once my attorney is present” and keep repeating this statement.

 
GEA supports the right of everyone to protest lawfully and respectfully and will simultaneously protect your employment as a GEA member and employee with Granite District.
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Don’t forget to wear a mask, remain 6 feet from the nearest protester, don’t touch your face, and carry sanitizer! ​