School Reform Commission to vote on school closings tomorrow: Protesters use social media, livestreaming to mobilize

An image promoting the Media Mobilizing Project’s social media campaign against school closings.

The School Reform Commission is scheduled to vote on the closing of 29 Philadelphia schools this Thursday, and as that day draws closer, several activist groups are using technology to organize their fight against the closings.

The Media Mobilizing Project, in partnership with local and national teachers unions, launched a social media campaign yesterday, encouraging the public to discuss the closings use the hashtags #PhillyEducation and #UnderAttack. It’s also soliciting stories via its “#PhillyEducation is #UnderAttack” Facebook page and even has an SMS option to join the conversation and get news updates, a nod to Philly’s digital divide.

There are also activist groups who live-streamed their sit-in of City Hall. Yesterday, about a dozen protesters from groups like Action United and Parents United refused to leave City Hall until the city implemented a a one-year moratorium on school closings, according to a report from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Later that night, the protesters left City Hall, but there are differing reports as to why.

Updated 3/6/13 10:19 a.m. to add more details on the sit-in.