Hawkins in Buffalo to Discuss Education, Child Lead Contamination

For immediate release: September 5, 2018

Notice of Media Availability

Date: Thursday, September 6

Location: in front of BUILD Academy, 340 Fougeron St., Buffalo 14211 (near Genesee and Moselle)

Time: 11:30 AM

Who: Howie Hawkins for Governor



(Hawkins will speak at the candidates forum in the Buffalo Public Library at 1 Lafayette Square at 6 PM.)



Hawkins in Buffalo to Discuss Education, Child Lead Contamination



Howie Hawkins, the Green Party nominee for Governor, will hold a news conference on Thursday September 6 at 11:30 AM in front of the BUILD Academy, 340 Fougeron St. 14211 (near Genesee and Moselle).



Hawkins will outline his educational reform agenda, including his support for increased state funding for Buffalo Schools, the end of the use of standardized testing to evaluate schools, teachers and students, and ending state takeover of schools using receivership.



He will outline his plans to desegregate schools in Buffalo and statewide. New York has the most segregated schools in the country.



Hawkins will also discuss his call for increased state action to protect children from lead contamination, with Buffalo having one of the highest rates for child lead poisoning in the state and for the state to release the inspection reports on oil bomb trains that travel through Buffalo.



BUILD Academy is a pre-K-8 grade school on Buffalo's East side. BUILD is one of only two schools statewide that will now have an independent receiver, appointed by Commissioner Elia and paid $90,000, by Buffalo, for part-time work. It is also located in an area with the highest rates of lead poisoning among children.



At 6 PM, Hawkins will speak at a candidates forum at the Public Library (at 1 Lafayette Sq btwn William & Broadway). It is sponsored by the NAACP, NAN, Urban League Young Professionals, Association of Black Social Workers, WNY Peace Center, Poor People’s Campaign-WNY, and others.