John,

“Kids’ lives matter.” It’s a simple but incredibly powerful message, and one that the young scholars at the New City Fellowship CDF Freedom Schools® program site want to make sure you hear loud and clear.

Tomorrow, children in kindergarten through grade 12 from across the country will participate in our annual CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action! Every year, this is the day when young people march on city hall or their state capital, meet with elected officials, host community events, and bring awareness to a social issue that’s important to them. It’s a key component of the civic engagement focus that makes the CDF Freedom Schools program so unique, and it’s a way that children demonstrate that they can make a difference in themselves, their communities, and the world.

After a year of highly publicized police violence against Black communities and a renewed racial reckoning, our CDF Freedom Schools sites this year chose to focus their National Day of Social Action on the issue of youth justice. We’re marking the day with a virtual rally premiering live on Facebook tomorrow, and we hope you’ll join us!

CDF Freedom Schools® National Day of Social Action Virtual Rally

Wednesday, July 21, 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM CT

Premiering on Facebook

“Too many kids losing their lives. We need to stop the violence and everything will be alright.”
- New City Fellowship CDF Freedom Schools scholar

During the rally, you’ll hear from the young people of the New City Fellowship CDF Freedom Schools program about why youth justice matters to them. You’ll also see the world premiere of their new music video! Head to Facebook right now and select “going” to get a reminder when the rally starts and then get ready to join us tomorrow, July 21, at 1:30 PM ET. I know you’ll be as impressed by their passion and power as I am.

Photos by David Samuel from the 2019 CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action

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