Union president says school closure plan is racist

CHICAGO — The city of Chicago's plan to close 53 schools is not sitting will with the president of the teacher's union.

The president of the union said that the closure of the schools will disproportionately affect African-American students in the nation's third largest public school district.

"This policy is racist, it's classist, and we have to continue to say that our mayor who's away on a ski trips this information right before spring break," said Karen Lewis. "How are our children to spend next week?"

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the closures are necessary.

They are working to tackle a $1 billion deficit and consolidate schools to improve education.

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