International support for DC School Choice

In a surprise demonstration, representatives from the four corners of the world distributed pamphlets to passers-by in the China Town area of Washington DC.

With the principles of human rights and individual liberty as their foundation, five volunteers from Turkey, Mexico, Afghanistan, Argentina, and Maine and New Mexico, USA met in the early morning with Virginia Walden Ford, Executive Director of DC Parents for School Choice, a grassroots organization working to prevent the end of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Speaking with community members, as well as visitors from other states, the team of five international volunteers offered critical information about the threatened program to a surprising number of uninformed parents and concerned citizens who claimed they were not only not aware of the program, but also not aware that it was in jeopardy.

With very few exceptions, all persons who were engaged in a conversation supported a parent's right to choose where their child will be educated, along with every child's right to a safe and quality education.

The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program allowed parents to submit applications for scholarships to private schools participating in the program. On average, 4 applications are received annually for every open spot in the program, and to date over 1600 children have benefited from the program.

Currently 216 students are waiting to begin school this week, each having received a scholarship to a private school, only to recently receive a letter stating that the program will not be continued.

President Obama has indicated that he would like the program to continue only long enough to allow those currently accepted and enrolled the opportunity to graduate from high school, but to not allow any new students beginning with the 2009/10 academic year.

We find it interesting that the President feels it important to choose where his daughter's will be educated - which happens to be OUTside of the DC school system's boundaries, and INside a private school in Maryland - but does not believe that opportunity should be afforded to other parents in the DC area.

The international group of volunteers is part of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation's Think Tank MBA training. This group of 27 freedom fighters from throughout the world has taken on 5 campaigns of education and activism while participating in the intensive two week training program.

The Atlas TTMBAers have one message: Liberty and Opportunity, through a Free Market Economy and Limited Government, and Prosperity and Peace throughout the world.

Education is critical. Children deserve the right to learn in a safe environment. Parents have the right to choose where their children go to school.

PUT KIDS FIRST, President Obama. And LET PARENTS CHOOSE.

After all, you put your children first and you chose. Why should you be the only parent in DC with that option?