Photo by Urszula Wislanka for News & Letters

Parents, students and teachers have occupied Lakeview Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., since June 15 to keep it open, just one of five schools slated for closure. Under threat from police and the Oakland Unified School District, the protesters, including Occupy Oakland, nevertheless have created social justice, art, and gardening classes. “We want families and all taxpayers to stand up and tell our country that these buildings are going to be used to teach children,” said parent Joel Velasquez to MercuryNews.com, “These buildings belong to us.”