Press

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON TRIPLE SHOOTING INJURING THREE CHILDREN, ONE CHILD EXTREMELY CRITICALLY

March 20, 2023

In response to a triple shooting in West Philadelphia this afternoon leaving three children injured, including one extremely critically, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA--"Day after day, the scourge of gun violence continues to devastate our city. I am horrified and enraged that three children were shot in West Philadelphia this afternoon, leaving one child in extremely critical condition, and two others now reported in stable condition.

"My wholly insufficient thoughts are with the children injured this afternoon, with their families, with their friends, and with all who were impacted by today's shooting.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF WILLARD ELEMENTARY

March 15, 2023

"For the second time this school year, Willard Elementary has been damaged by gunfire. This time, bullets fired through two classrooms during the school day. While the rooms were empty at the moment, this so easily could have been an even greater catastrophe.

"I am enraged for our students, staff, for the entire Willard community, and for our entire city. The ravages of gunfire have once again shattered a school building and community, and that should horrify us all.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE FATAL SHOOTING OF 15-YEAR-OLD NEKO RIVERA

[Updated] March 16, 2023

"Gut-wrenching horror. I am so sorry for Neko Rivera whose life was stolen from him, for his family, for the Kensington HS and Fels communities and for everyone who continues to be impacted by the devastation of gun violence.

"17 District children killed this school year alone—it should be unfathomable—but day in and day out we see this absolute limitless horror of the crisis of gun violence. We cannot continue to live and die like this."

PFT JOINS COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS, COALITION TO CALL FOR FACILITIES PLAN AND INVESTMENT

March 13, 2023

This morning, PFT President Jerry Jordan joined a coalition press conference calling for a comprehensive, collaborative, transparent facilities plan, coupled with significant investment commensurate with the facilities needs of our public schools.

The event was hosted by City Council's Chair of the Committee on Education Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

PFT RESPONDS TO INQUIRER EDITORIAL

March 12, 2023

In response to the Sunday March 12th Inquirer editorial regarding the upcoming Mayoral election, PFT shared the following on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages:

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON GOVERNOR SHAPIRO'S BUDGET ADDRESS

March 7, 2023

In response to Governor Shapiro's first budget address, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA--"I congratulate Governor Shapiro on delivering a thoughtful budget address that outlines a host of investments in critical resources. Specifically, we are hopeful that the urgency Governor Shapiro conveyed surrounding our Commonwealth's constitutional and moral obligation to provide every child with a 'thorough and efficient' system of public education was recognized and taken to heart by legislators throughout the Commonwealth.

"While we continue to look at the specific allocations for public education, we certainly recognize the significance of Governor Shapiro's initial proposal of over $1B in investment in pre-k through 12 public education this year.

"I urge the legislature to fully fund a system of public education that has been underfunded for decades. We can and must implement a bold investment, and I urge the legislature to take seriously the proposals put forth by both Governor Shapiro and Senator Hughes.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN JOINS SENATOR VINCENT HUGHES, LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE 'FIRST STEP PLAN' PUBLIC EDUCATION INVESTMENT

March 2, 2023

PHILADELPHIA-- This afternoon, at a press conference hosted by Senator Vincent Hughes, PFT President Jerry Jordan offered remarks highlighting the urgent need for state investments in public education.

In his remarks, Jordan called attention to the emergency asbestos-related closure of Building 21 yesterday as "emblematic of our ongoing fight for equitable school funding." Jordan noted that, "Every day, we continue to have to fight so hard for something so fundamental: that our young people and their educators are not poisoned when entering their school buildings."

Jordan highlighted and applauded legislative solutions, specifically the comprehensive budget proposal put forth at today's event by Democratic Appropriations Chair Senator Vincent Hughes. The "First Step Plan" is rightfully described as a "down payment on a constitutional education funding system" and invests over three billion dollars into an equitable distribution of funding, including restoring portions of the charter school line item as well as specific facilities funding. Both of these items are top priorities as outlined in our legislative platform, which is endorsed by dozens of lawmakers and leaders.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE ELECTION OF THE HONORABLE JOANNA E. MCCLINTON AS SPEAKER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE

February 28, 2023

In response to the election of the Honorable Joanna E. McClinton as Speaker of the PA House, Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA-- "I am simply delighted to congratulate the Honorable Joanna E. McClinton on her election as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House. Speaker McClinton has, from before she ever set foot in office, led with courage, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to the people of the 191st legislative district and every Pennsylvanian.

"Speaker McClinton represents the best of elected officials and has been a steadfast force for change during her time in office. Speaker McClinton, the second Black person and first woman to ever hold this office, has met the moment leading up to her election with grace and determination.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF BLAINE ELEMENTARY

February 23, 2023

PHILADELPHIA-- "Once again, the devastation of gun violence continues to traumatize our communities. It should be unfathomable that outside of one of our schools, as an event was letting out, [seven] people--including a toddler and [five] teens--were shot. But of course, it is anything but unfathomable. It should horrify us all, but it should shock none of us.

"This week, two women were gunned down in separate shootings. On Tuesday, two teens were shot walking home from school. Over the weekend, Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald's life was cut violently short. And in fact, as of yesterday, there have been 191 shootings (49 fatal) this year alone.

"While I’m so thankful to learn that the [seven] individuals (as young as two years old) shot this evening are in stable condition, I’m once again enraged that this unrelenting scourge of gun violence is our ever-persistent reality. Our team has been in touch with the school building representative as well as District administration to ensure that supports will be available for the school community.

"I imagine the sheer terror of the families of those injured and the lingering trauma this event will engender for every person who witnessed or was impacted by tonight's shooting outside of Blaine.

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON FATAL SHOOTING OF TEMPLE UNIVERSITY POLICE OFFICER

February 18, 2023

"I am horrified to learn of the fatal shooting of a Temple University police officer [Christopher Fitzgerald] this evening. The catastrophic, relentless devastation of gun violence is unbearable. I am so sorry for [Officer Ftizgerald], his family, and all impacted by tonight's tragedy.

"It is well past time for meaningful, systemic gun reform. As we mourn for this officer and his loved ones, we must organize and act in order to stop this horrific crisis."

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