New Case Study Shows the Power of Student Voice to Transform Our Schools
We’re excited to share key findings from a case study released by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools showcasing the lasting impact student voice engagement has in our schools. The new report “Nothing About Us Without Us” examines the last decade of CFJ’s work organizing with student leaders in the East Side Union…
Honoring Native American History Month
While the United States has tried to eradicate Indigenous people and cultures across Turtle Island, this Native American History Month and National Day of Mourning, we are proclaiming from the top of our lungs, Indigenous People Are Still Here! Indigenous people, languages, and traditions have existed and thrived on these lands for millennia. Not only…
Black Lives Matter Long Beach Statement on Violence in Long Beach Unified School District
The following statement was released this week by Black Lives Matter Long Beach in response to the shooting of 18-year-old Manuela (Mona) Rodriquez by an armed LBUSD School Safety Officer on 9/27/21. Californians for Justice is proud to co-sign this statement and will continue working towards police-free schools in our districts in solidarity with community…
School Safety Means We Keep Us Safe
This fall has brought renewed concerns about campus safety. But while we all want to see our students safe, we know that pro-police policies will only cause more harm. Having cops on campus doesn’t work. Having police present on campus means Black and Brown students, API students, Native students and students with disabilities are all…
CFJ Youth Leaders Secure Major Wins in Long Beach & Fresno Unified
We’re so excited to share even more incredible wins from our youth organizers! Our student leaders won major initiatives and secured millions in funding for new policies in Fresno and Long Beach Unified. Fresno Expanding Ethnic Studies & Paying Students for Expertise and Labor That’s right! This summer and fall, Fresno Unified will expand the…
CFJ Youth Leaders Win Restorative Restart & More in Oakland & San Jose!
We’re celebrating some major news! Our youth leaders fought for and won commitments for a restorative restart in Oakland Unified and the East Side Union High School District in San Jose! Oakland Youth Win Mental Health, Relationships Supports & More In Oakland, the district has committed $9 million to a mental health resolution prioritizing supports…
CFJ Fulfilling the Promise of Brown vs. Board of Ed
It’s been 67 years since 13 Black families won their lawsuit to desegregate schools and secured the right to equal education for students of color. All these years later and we still know that for any real and lasting progress to be made, we must center the voices and leadership of Black students and families. …
State Ed Budget: Crucial Investments in Young People’s Health & Wellness
On January 8th, Governor Newsom released his proposed 2021-2022 budget. After a year when students and families have struggled through a pandemic, natural disasters, a historic election, and the different manifestations of white supremacy, we commend Governor Newsom’s commitment to addressing racial equity by investing in public education, and also recognize we still have a…
Newsom Vetoed Ethnic Studies AB 331, But We Won’t Give Up
Above: Aniyah Story, a Junior at Oakland High, studies her U.S. History textbook while distance learning at home. We are deeply disappointed to hear that Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 331 on Wednesday, which would have made Ethnic Studies a high school graduation requirement. In a year where students are facing historical challenges learning in…