The John W. Pope Civitas Institute had a crowd of 60-70 protesters from Raleigh F.I.S.T. gather outside its office around 4:30 PM today. They denounced our group and even went so far as to boo when the speaker shouted “SCHOOL CHOICE”! It seems as if F.I.S.T. members are unfortunately against educational choice and freedom. Video is included below.
So who is this F.I.S.T.? Images of Marx and Che Guevara adorn the group’s website, providing links to their book “What is Marxism All About?” and stating that “the only way to achieve true liberation for all peoples throughout the world is through socialism.” I guess “liberation” doesn’t involve educational freedom; so much for logic. Regardless, this is a group of youths that must have fallen asleep in history class when discussions of the U.S.S.R. and Cuba arose. Hmm, I wonder how those countries are faring now?
Want them to hate us EVEN MORE? Make a tax-deductible donation to Civitas today and your local communist will cry.
Update: Here is a list of speakers and organizers at the protest. Yes, you should recognize a few of these names, the list includes people arrested at the Wake County School Board meeting, a PAID “grassroots” organizer who works for the YWCA and leaders of F.I.S.T.
Rukiya Dillahunt, retired Wake County educator and member of Black Workers for Justice
Viridiana Martinez, NC DREAM Team
Nayely Irais, DREAMS, El Pueblo
Sanyu Gichie, NC HEAT
Monserrat Alvarez, NC HEAT
Kosta Harlan, Durham anti-war activist
Justin Flores, FLOC
Dante Strobino, Raleigh FIST
Jason Langberg, Advocates for Children Services
Omisade Burney-Scott, Wake Education Advocates & the YWCA
John Heuer, NC Peace Action
John Comer, NC Central student
Statement from Manzoor Cheema, Pakistan-American Coalition for Education
Rachel Holtzman, UNC Chapel Hill SDS
All information can be found here.
Here is their website: http://fistyouth.wordpress.com/
As long as the left wing radicals find us to be a threat then we know we’re doing our job.
Education for social progress, not for private profit! These revolutionary youth are the hope for the future. Thanks for publicizing their important work.
As long as CIVITAS takes the time to come video us, we know we’re doing our job. Education for ALL! May you all find it in your hearts to one day join us as we strive for a better tomorrow.