Sharpton and other national labor leaders were also in town to rally against Senate Bill 5. They claim the measure is a grave concern to labor unions and the civil rights community.
They also stopped by Start to inspire students to set goals in life and applaud the school's high test scores. Start High School has a graduation rate of more than 90 percent.
AFSCME secretary/treasurer Lee Sanders said, "This is exactly the kind of success story that needs to be talked about rather than talking about, as the governor is doing, taking away the voices of workers and taking away the voices of teachers."
Senate Bill 5 would drastically curb the collective bargaining rights of public workers, like teachers The assembly was optional for students who had passed their Ohio graduation tests.
Sharpton says the attack on public services affects them. "It's all about the kids. If we cut teaching, if we overcrowd classrooms, if we make it more difficult for teachers to work and if we demean them, then we turn schools like this around. So what we want to do is show the results of what good teaching and good state and city workers do which is why we should not be trying to lay them off or trying to rob them of their voice."
Reverend Sharpton's next stop: Detroit.
