New Haven Independent

Nader dropped by Amistad Academy’s brand new high school in Science Park Wednesday as part of a statewide tour with Green Party gubernatorial candidate Cliff Thornton, six days before Tuesday’s election.

Nader, the Green Party’s two-time presidential candidate, toured high schools in Enfield and North Branford (click here for Christine Stuart’s account of another stop) before making an early afternoon appearance at Amistad to an expected crowd of about 45 ninth graders.

Nader, an early proponent of “sunshine” laws opening politicians and government to public scrutiny, greeted the press — one Independent reporter — inside Amistad. So did the principal, Jeff Sudmyer, who welcomed this reporter inside the school, into a classroom.

Sudmyer said the students had been prepped on the two-party political system. They filled the room to hear Nader speak on that topic, and then hear students’ questions. Milling around before Nader spoke, some took a moment to introduce themselves to the politician (pictured at top).

Just as Nader was about to speak, Sudmyer (pictured) gently escorted this reporter out of the classroom to the door. “I just got word from the top that we didn’t want any press.” He didn’t say why, just “orders from the top.”

Ken Paul, the director of development for Achievement First, the not-for-profit that runs Amistad, gave a few more answers in the hallway. “[Achievement First President] Dacia [Toll] was very concerned and adamant about not doing press.”

“Our business is really about educating children,” said Paul. “Dacia is reluctant to be politically involved.”

When Governor Rell made a recent stop at Amistad, the event was also closed to the press, noted Paul.

However, the organization did open doors to the press in campaign season of 2004, when President Bush’s secretary of education, Rod Paige, spoke at Amistad. In fact, the press was invited and welcomed. The visit occurred during a presidential election campaign in which Bush was selling the idea that alternatives to teacher-union-influenced public schools — such as charter schools and vouchers for private schools — help black city kids and deserve government support.

Paul asked Thornton’s campaign manager, Ken Krayeske, for a little help Wednesday justifying the ban on press. “Personally, I don’t necessarily see the harm in it,” responded Krayeske, “but I understand where you’re coming from as well.”

Earlier Wednesday at a similar Nader stop at the Enrico Fermi school in Enfield, the event was open to the press — the Courant, said Krayeske.

Press was allowed in Enfield in part because, “none of the school stops we do are technically campaign stops,” said Krayeske.

Even though Nader was touring schools with a gubernatorial candidate six days before an election, and even though Thornton himself took the podium at two earlier events, the event was not a campaign stop, Krayeske claimed. It was meant to get young people more politically active, said Krayeske.

At Amistad, the audience members — ninth graders — weren’t old enough to vote.

Two Thornton supporters sat inside with Thornton, wearing campaign pins. Krayeske (pictured) removed his pin while talking to Paul.

“I just wear this button all the time, but out of respect I’ll take it off,” he said to Paul, before stepping inside the school.