Speaker: Melina Espiritu-Azocar, Lead Organizer, Northside AFT
Melina Espiritu-Azocar: My name is Melina, and I'm a mom in Northside Independent School District. I'm a 14-year educator, and until last year, I was a teacher in Northside. Now, I stand united and work for my fellow union members in Northside AFT. Believe me when I tell you, I'm tired, and I know you're tired too. But we can't stop fighting for our children. Fighting for safe schools and safe communities in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic. Fighting through local, state, and national elections. Fighting through three — soon to be four — legislative sessions. We've been fighting for funding for our schools. For basic common sense, safety measures like masks and vaccines. For the well- being of our trans students and our children. For honest civics and true history education. I know we have responsibilities. We're parents. We're educators. We're spouses. We're partners. We work hard. But on top of it all, we must continue fighting for our children and our future. It's OK to be tired, and it's important to rest. But we need to be ready for another special session starting September the 20th. And we need to be ready for school board races this fall and spring and all that will come beyond that. We can't quit. I'm not quitting. Our union isn't quitting either. Just last week, Texas AFT announced we are suing the state of Texas to block the new voter suppression law. We will not stand for voter suppression in our state. We are all tired, and we are all rightfully angry. I ask you to stay in this fight. Keep sending letters to your representatives and calling their offices. Stay engaged with the actions your fellow union members are taking. And if you have the option to do so, contribute: donate to our union's political action funds so that we can keep fighting the good fight at the local and state levels. I will continue to unite my voice with my fellow union members, and we will stand against the wrongs that this new special session may bring. Please join me — join us — and make sure Texas hears our union voices. In solidarity from San Antonio. I'll see you at the next call to action.
