A good school allows for a safe and supportive environment for all students to learn and grow. However, in New York City, Black and Latinx students often have to worry more about getting arrested in school than getting a good education.

As of 2018, Black and Latinx students represent approximately 90 percent of arrests and summonses in NYC public schools, while making up only two-thirds of the student body. These arrests and summonses are almost always for NON-CRIMINAL misbehavior. Furthermore, nearly 85 percent of arrests in these schools are carried out by armed police officers with no training for working with children in a school environment.  

New York City student activists have been asking the government for years to limit police presence and the use of policing technology in schools. Yet, the same disproportionate data persists and students are still protesting about this in 2020. Though Mayor Bill de Blasio has outwardly championed efforts to limit excessive policing and punishment of Black and Latinx children in schools, over his term the NYPD school safety division budget has increased by over 25%.

The New York City Department of Education needs to terminate its contract with the NYPD. Black and Latinx children are inarguably being unfairly targeted in school and it needs to end. Sign this petition to help create a NYC public school system where Black and Latinx students can learn without fear of unjust punishment or arrest.

Together, we can put an end to criminalizing the classroom.

Data: Police Disproportionately Target Black and Latino Students in NYC Schools