Editor’s Note: DFT boss protests own agenda

Steve Conn loves a good protest. So the new president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to make noise during a Monday press conference related to the future of the city’s schools.

The Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren held a meeting at the Fellowship Chapel to announce its report, and in the middle of the event, boisterous shouting — led by Conn — interrupted the presentation. There were less than a dozen protesters, but they made up for their small number with their volume.

Conn, who is associated with the radical group By Any Means Necessary, brought along some of his protesting buddies. After they got kicked out of the meeting, they picketed outside.

Conn should be applauding the coalition’s recommendations, as many of them fit into the union’s agenda. Plus, Conn’s boss — the head of AFT-Michigan — was a co-chair of the group.

After the event, Conn sent out a press release reluctantly acknowledging some points of agreement with the coalition — such as the call for the state to take over Detroit Public Schools’ debt. The coalition also wants the school board to regain control, along with the dissolution of the Education Achievement Authority, which are top priorities for Conn.

If this keeps up, Conn will have a tough time finding reasons to protest. Don’t expect him to stop, though.