Opt Out

A resounding 80% plus of seniors have OPT OUT requests on file at Chelsea High School according to figures given to Chelsea Uniting Against the War by Ron Whitehead, registrar at CHS. OPT OUT is the right for high school students or their parents to file a request in their school to prevent students’ personal information from being given to military recruiters.  For 12  years, members of Chelsea Uniting Against the War have been passing out  OPT OUT forms and information to students during the first week or two of school.  Statistics indicate that more than half of the rest of the student body have not filed an OPT OUT request.  Chelsea Uniting Against the War will continue as in past years to have information tables about OPT OUT a few times during students’ lunch periods in the next months to inform students of their rights against military recruitment.

On the morning of January 14, 2015 members of Chelsea Uniting Against the War distributed fliers in English and Spanish to students on their way to Chelsea High School about Martin Luther King’s opposition to war in honor of the upcoming federal holiday. King’s quote, “I am disappointed with our failure to deal positively and forthrightly with the triple evils of racism, exploitation and militarism.”…

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” from his sermon,  “Why I Am Opposed to to the War in Vietnam” was  included in the flier given its relevance today.  Students were also given information about the Four Mile March on Martin Luther King Day in Boston and other major U.S.cities.  A crowd from Chelsea Uniting Against the War joined thousands of protestors for the Four Mile March in Boston on January 20, 2015, Martin Luther King Day.  The demands of the marchers included Jail Killer Cops, Demilitarize the Police, End Mass Incarceration, End the wars, $15 hour Minimum Wage, Fund Our Communities, and specific to Boston, No Olympics.

For more information about the efforts of Chelsea Uniting Against the War contact  617-884-2841 or [email protected]

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