About 3,000 supporters of the Detroit Public Schools system gathered around the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest a bill which would allow for the creation of new charter schools in Michigan.
The protesters brandished signs and sang "We Shall Overcome" to make their cause heard.
The bill in question would allow for the creation of 150 more charter schools in Michigan, including 15 new schools in Detroit.
Although Gov. Jennifer Granholm cut off negotiations with lawmakers supporting the bill Wednesday, State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, said the protest was pivotal in changing the opinions of some Detroit lawmakers.
"Once they saw that Detroit was going to come together and take the issue to Lansing, they changed their views," he said.
Detroit second-grade teacher Georgetta Johnson also thought the demonstration was necessary.
"We really made a difference," she said. "I feel really good about it, and I'm looking forward to voice my opinion before the city council."
Clarke, who was against the bill, said he was turned off to the additional charter schools after an existing Detroit charter school, Beacon International Academy, closed in the middle of the week over a rent dispute.
"I was afraid that additional charter schools would make the school system in Detroit worse for children who have parents who aren't involved in their school life," he said. "The initiative is to improve the schools and not add more."
But State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, said it's unfair to make children stay in under-performing schools.
"I think the time has long passed for schools that have failed to get their act together," he said.
Garcia noted that additional charter schools would have a variety of benefits.
"They provide a choice for parents and spur on regular public schools to improve," he said.
Although there were no definite plans for additional charter schools in the Lansing area, Lansing schools spokesman Mark Mayes said he feels that more local charter schools are a bad idea.
"Once people try greener pastures, they see that we offer more programs, better teachers, better discipline and experience."
