Philadelphia, PA – Fourteen people were arrested today at a mass protest to save Philadelphia’s public schools after the marchers sat in the middle of Broad Street a few blocks from the Philadelphia School District office.

Among those arrested were Gabe Morgan, Pennsylvania State Director for 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, and George Ricchezza, Leader of the 32BJ District 1201, which has more than 2,700 members working in the city’s public schools. Also arrested was Wayne McManiman, 32BJ Mid-Atlantic District Director; two members of Fight for Philly; and two retired teachers, Lisa Haver and Ron Whitehorne.

By 4 p.m., at least some had been released. They are to be arraigned at a hearing on June 20th.

32BJ represents more than 10,000 workers employed in K-12 school districts, including in Philadelphia, New York City, and other districts throughout New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With more than 120,000 members, including 10,000 in the Philadelphia area, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.