Hundreds of NYSUT members braved the bitter cold to demonstrate their steadfast resolve that New York’s public schools and students will not be left out in the cold by proposed federal funding cuts to education to give tax breaks to billionaires.
The March 4 rally at the state Capitol was part of a nationwide Protect Our Kids Day of Action that spanned more than 2,000 locations.
“Across the country, parents and community members are coming together with the united, simple message: Do not mess with our public schools,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person.
Led by Person, AFT President Randi Weingarten, State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, PEF President Wayne Spence, PTA Executive Director Kyle Belokopitsky, and NAACP New York branch President Anthony Harmon, rally participants made it clear: New York’s students deserve fully funded schools and equitable access to resources—not devastating budget cuts so that the ultra-wealthy can become even richer.
“In New York we are not intimidated by a campaign of fear and chaos,” Person said. “We are not divided by their threats. Our voices, united by love for our students and our communities, are more powerful than their wallets. We know that when we invest in students, we build a stronger and more just society.”
Proposals to eliminate the Department of Education will decimate funding that our most vulnerable students in every district rely on to receive the support services they need.
Additionally, abolishing the DOE means teachers could lose their jobs; there would be less support for critical programs and less funding for school repairs; students may lose access to Career and Technical Education programs; and increased college costs for students from working-class families.
In the face of these threats from the federal government, NYSUT is calling on our members to tell Congress: Protect our kids and protect our schools.
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