Medical responders were called in on Tuesday morning to assist the two Oakland teachers fasting for their eighth consecutive day to protest the district's proposed school closures, leading one of the educators to be transported to the emergency room, according to various outlets.
Westlake Middle School's community school manager Moses Omolade and choir director Andre San-Chez have been on a hunger strike since Jan. 31 in response to a proposal from Oakland Unified School District to close or merge at least one dozen schools. The two teachers have been camped outside the school and haven't eaten any solid foods throughout the duration of the strike.
KPIX reported that Omolade and San-Chez required medical attention on Tuesday.
"Convocation hunger strikers, Moses Omolade and André San-Chez are having health difficulties this morning," a release from teachers' supporters read, obtained by the station. "Medical teams are on the way to Westlake Middle School now to support."
In addition, San-Chez said in the statement, "If I die, I want the board to know my death was at your hands."
San-Chez remained camped outside Westlake Middle School after medics arrived, however Omolade was forced to go to the emergency room for evaluation and treatment due to concerns about his "underlying health condition," UCSF doctor Rupa Marya told reporters.
Dr. Marya added she's unsure how long he will be in the hospital and deferred to her colleagues' evaluation of his labs and vitals.
Under the district's proposal, Westlake would merge with West Oakland Middle School and two alternative schools would fill Westlake's campus. Other schools on the district's proposed list would close and the students would be reassigned to other schools. The majority of schools impacted serve students of color from low-income families.
San-Chez told KCBS Radio on Monday the two teachers were prepared to strike until the school board back off on its plan or else they demand a meeting with Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"We support everyone's right to protest, including protesting possible decisions by the Board of Education," Oakland Unified said in a statement provided to KCBS Radio. "Of course, the District cares deeply about the health and well-being of our staff, and hopes that any staff member engaging in a hunger strike explores other means of protest that don’t involve harming themselves."
District officials say if they don't close schools with declining enrollment they could face fiscal calamity and possible state intervention.
KCBS Radio reached out to Gov. Newsom for comment and has not heard back.
The school board is expected to vote on the proposal on Tuesday night.
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