Protesters (including Sharpton) rally as (St Louis) schools open

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Protesters rally as schools open
By Jake Wagman and Tina Hesman
Post-Dispatch
09/07/2003

A contentious first day of school began Monday in St. Louis with a rally and march by more than 100 protesters seeking a boycott of classes over an interim management team's decision to close 16 schools and lay off 1,400 workers.

At a pro-boycott rally before the opening bell, Democratic presidential candidate and activist Al Sharpton urged protesters to remain resolved despite those who would suggest that keeping kids out of school is counterproductive.

"I think that any parent would be irresponsible not to make sure their child is protected and that their child is serviced," Sharpton said. "It's a sad day but we must turn this time of sadness into a movement to redress that.

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