A contingent of D.C. schools activists and parents is urging community members to boycott public meetings set for later this month on the proposed shutdown of 23 public schools.

“Your voice will not be heard, so you might as well not waste your time,” said Carolyn Steptoe, a parent who’s helping to mobilize the effort. “You’ll be speaking to a staff facilitator, who just listens, takes notes and doesn’t have any real authority.”