Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Families for Excellent Schools Unveil Community Mural in the Bronx As Part of Larger Effort to End Low Academic Achievement in NYC Schools

Artists from Acclaimed Tats Cru Group Paint Mural in Sign of Growing Support for Bold, Urgent Solution to Crisis

  Thursday, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and parent advocacy group Families for Excellent Schools unveiled a community mural in the Bronx as part of a broad grassroots movement to push for a solution to the persistent failure of New York City’s schools. The mural, painted by graffiti artists from acclaimed, Bronx-based Tats Cru group, is part of a larger effort by the Coalition for Education Equality to ensure that no child is forced to attend a failing school. The unveiling of Thursday’s mural adds growing momentum ahead of a rally on the courthouse steps of Foley Square on October 2nd, expected to be attended by thousands of parents from district and charter school families.

The mural—painted on a wall in Assemblyman Crespo’s district on Simpson St. and Westchester Ave. in the Bronx—serves as a reflection of the growing urgency in the community for a bold solution to a failing schools crisis that strips more than one hundred thousand children of a high-quality education. The mural will be followed by more neighborhood art and activities across all five of the city’s boroughs and parent organizing efforts through social and digital media efforts in the run-up to the rally.

In the Bronx alone, there 82 elementary and middle schools where roughly 9 out of 10 children can't read and do math on grade level.  

“The response that this mural has already received in my district makes it clear that our parents want bold action to strengthen our schools,” said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. “It’s a beautiful work of art that should spur us all to action to end educational injustice.”

"The folks in this community are frustrated with a failing school system that steals the promise of possibility from too many children in the Bronx. Our #DontStealPossible mural builds on the growing movement for change in this community," said the Bronx-based muralist collective Tats Cru.

"Parents from all over the Bronx are demanding a quality education from their schools. These kids are our future and we refuse to settle for less," Yvonne Guillen, Bronx parent and Families for Excellent Schools leader.

“We are going to see more and more community-centered calls for change like this mural as folks realize how deep the persistent failure of our  schools actually is,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of Families for Excellent Schools. “Parents want quality schools for their children, and they are tired of waiting.”