In 2018 and 2019, thousands of educators and education advocates marched in downtown Raleigh in red shirts with the goal of urging state lawmakers to address longstanding unmet needs, such as adequate teacher pay and funding public schools.
This year, the North Carolina Association of Educators, or NCAE, is hosting another march on May 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Raleigh. The ‘Kids Over Corporations’ Rally is open to educators, students, parents, and education advocates across the state; May 1st also honors International Workers’ Day.
The focus of the march is to hold state Republican lawmakers accountable for failing to fully invest in public education, as shown by the absence of a state budget and the dismissal of Leandro by the state’s highest court.
According to the event website, NCAE will have the march revolve around three demands, including:
- Put Kids First
- Invest at least $20,000 per student by 2030—the highest funding in the Southeast
- Fund modern facilities, free school meals, and more health professionals in schools
- Recruit and retain quality public school teachers and staff with affordable healthcare, better retirement benefits, and a raise of at least 25% for all school employees
- End Corporate Tax Breaks
- End corporate tax breaks and redirect that money to public schools and healthcare
- Eliminate private school vouchers
- Fix our tax system so the wealthy finally pay what they owe
- Reclaim Our Democracy
- Pass fair maps, protect voting rights, and restore checks and balances in state government
- Lift the ban on collective bargaining for public school workers
- Protect the constitutional rights of all and reject the use of fear, violence, and intimidation to divide our communities
“This is our line in the sand…we will not back down when it comes to ensuring our children receive the education they need and deserve. We will not back down in demanding qualified educators in every classroom and safe, well-resourced schools for every student. Our lawmakers have shown time and again that the resources exist—they have simply chosen not to invest them in our children. If they will not act, we will. And that starts with making our voices heard on May 1,” said Tamika Walker Kelly, President of NCAE, in a press release.
With the legislature in short session and many crucial issues on the table, it is incredibly important to get our voices heard about public education funding in our state.
Join the North Carolina Association of Educators on May 1st for the ‘Kids Over Corporations’ rally to take a stand against corporate greed and the General Assembly’s reluctance to fund public education.
In the meantime, check out the Kids Over Corporations websitefor more information.
Are you interested in getting involved? Go to the NCAE May 1st Rallylink to RSVP for the event and/or sign the petition at Kids Over Corporations.
