Press | Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT Congratulates Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

June 30, 2022

PFT President Jerry Jordan upon the swearing in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court:

"Today, we watched as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the US Supreme Court. Amidst so many challenges our society is facing, this was truly refreshing and a moment to pause and reflect on the history of this moment.

"As I shared in my statement upon her confirmation, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is immensely qualified, and her confirmation represents an historic moment. Justice Brown Jackson is the first Black woman justice of the SCOTUS, and

PFT Protests PA General Assembly's Bigoted Legislation

June 30, 2022

The Republican controlled State Legislature continues its destructive and bigoted path. This week, the State Senate passed a series of racist, anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, including an Anti-trans bill (SB972), a Book Banning bill (SB1277), and a Don't Say Gay bill (SB1278). As I said in my statement here, shame on the Republicans who are pushing forth this bigoted agenda.

Yesterday, PFT members Gemayel Keyes, Kate Sundeen, and Benjamin Hover spoke powerfully at a coalition press conference hosted by District Attorney Larry Krasner outside of CAPA. Watch the powerful event right here.

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PFT Protests Overturning of Roe V. Wade

June 2022

PFT joined the city and nation in outrage at SCOTUS' decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. As PFT President Jerry shared in his statement following the disgraceful ruling denying women the healthcare they need, "Banning abortions will not stop abortions. But it will make abortion unsafe and illegal. It means that women experiencing poverty, especially Black and brown women, will be especially vulnerable amidst an already rigged system." Jordan continued, "Before our eyes, we are watching the horror of a group of right-wing extremists hurtling our nation rapidly towards authoritarianism

PFT President Jerry Jordan on PA Senate's Passage of Bigoted Legislation

June 29, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—In response to the Republican controlled PA State Senate passing an Anti-trans sports bill, a Book Banning bill, and a Don't Say Gay bill, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: "Shame on Pennsylvania Republicans who continue to lead with bigotry and hatred. "I am disgusted by the State Senate's passage today of an Anti-trans bill (SB972), a Book Banning bill (SB1277), and a Don't Say Gay bill (SB1278). MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on SCOTUS Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—In response to the 5-4 SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, PFT president Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement: "Today's ruling, overturning a woman's right to the healthcare she needs, is disgraceful. Banning abortions will not stop abortions. But it will make abortion unsafe and illegal. It means that women experiencing poverty, especially Black and brown women, will be especially vulnerable amidst an already rigged system. "Before our eyes, we are watching the horror of a group of right-wing extremists hurtling our nation rapidly towards authoritarianism. Let's be very clear: when Republicans talk about freedom, when they talk about the sanctity of life, when they talk about individual rights, they mean for white, cisgender men. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Dangerous Legislation Before the PA General Assembly

June 14, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—In response to the Republican controlled state legislature positioning a host of reprehensible bills for consideration instead of finding ways to fully fund public education and implement commonsense gun reform, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: MORE

At AFL-CIO National Convention, PFT President Jerry Jordan Outlines What is at Stake in Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA—As part of a panel discussion at the AFL-CIO national constitutional convention, PFT President Jerry Jordan outlined what is at stake in Pennsylvania in our collective efforts to protect and strengthen democracy and safeguard the right to vote. Jordan's prepared remarks, which can be read in their entirety here, read in part: MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan Calls on Senator Toomey to Take Immediate Action on Gun Reform

June 8, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—Amidst an ongoing scourge of gun violence that continues its catastrophic toll in Philadelphia and across the country, PFT President Jerry Jordan yesterday joined Tuesdays with Toomey to again call attention to this urgent crisis. In addition to the PFT and Tuesdays with Toomey, the event was co-sponsored by Cease Fire PA, March for Our Lives, Indivisible Philadelphia, and Heeding God's Call. Pennsylvanians will continue to put pressure on Senator Toomey to listen to his constituents and implement gun safety measures that will save lives. The PFT is urging its members, as well as any concerned Pennsylvanians, to take action today and call Senator Toomey. The message is clear: gun reform is urgently needed. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan Joins Tuesdays with Toomey, Calls for Action on Gun Violence

June 7, 2022

This afternoon, PFT President Jerry Jordan joined Tuesdays with Toomey, Cease Fire PA, March for Our Lives, Heeding God's Call, and Indivisible Philadelphia at a die-in and a call to action on gun violence.

Jordan's prepared remarks are as follows:

Good afternoon. I’m Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

We’re here in solidarity, in sorrow, and in rage.

We’re here because the crisis of gun violence continues unchecked. And far too many elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington continue to refuse to take action either because they simply don’t care

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Saturday's mass shooting in Philadelphia and the ongoing crisis of gun violence

June 5, 2022 "The ongoing devastation wrought by gun violence is simply too much to bear. I am sick and enraged over last night’s mass shooting in Philadelphia that left three lives cut short and countless others forever changed. The time for action on gun reform is long overdue. Shame on every single politician who sits on their hands while this catastrophic violence continues. MORE