Sean Arce, the director of the embattled Mexican American Studies program in Tuscon, Arizona was released from employment last night after a split vote by the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Students, teachers, and community members gathered before the vote to champion Arce as a vital part of the education and berated the TUSD board members for targeting Arce for dismissal due to his own outspoken support for ethnic studies programs in the district.

 

During a nearly three hour long open mic session, over four dozen supporters spoke vehemently in support of Arce, and chastized the board for their assault on education and the racists overtones of recent policies.