Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mothers starving themselves for education reform
DORAL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Two mothers vow to continue their hunger strike outside Ronald W. Reagan Senior High School until positive change comes for students and teachers in Miami-Dade County.
Biviana Salmone and Malexys Morales began their hunger strike Monday morning in protest of Florida's education cuts.
Salmone said Miami-Dade Public School board members have ignored her concerns over the state's budget casualties in conversations with and written correspondence with Florida governor Charlie Crist, as well as several state congressmen. "I feel, as a parent, I am not being able to deliver what I need for me to die in peace and know that my children are going to be able to make it with or without me," she said. "The children are the future, and we cannot leave them unsupported, naked into the world, just weak. They need education, materials and teachers now."
While the frustration has overwhelmed the mother of two girls who attend Reagan High to the point of tears, she refuses to abandon the cause. "You know, there is nothing bigger in my life than my children, and I'm positive I'm not alone," said Salmone. "There are mothers all over the place that are willing, able, ready and available to do anything, whatever it takes."
Water will serve as the lone source of nourishment for both protesters, who have been camping out across from the campus. "We don't really need anything," she said. "We just need attention, attention for [the children]: they will disappear. You'll never have to see us again."
Miami-Dade Public Schools could not be reached for comment.
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