Ei-iE

On June 14 millions of people took to the streets in a sweeping mobilisation against the policies of the Trump Administration in the United States. The protests spanned over 2,100 cities and towns making it the third-largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. Spearheaded by a coalition of civil society groups including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the movement sent a powerful message: democracy belongs to the people—not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarian displays of power.

The “No Kings" demonstration was organized in direct response to a military parade staged by the Trump administration in Washington, D.C. on the day of his birthday, which was sparsely attended.

“This country belongs to the people, and millions of us took to the streets because we will not let our democracy be taken away. We are fighting for opportunity for all—on No Kings Day and every day!”, said Randi Weingarten, AFT President.

“On behalf of the world’s teachers and education support personnel, we stand in solidarity with all of those taking action across the United States to defend democracy and say: no to authoritarianism”, stated David Edwards, Education International General Secretary.

Clear rejection of Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and healthcare

Teachers, education workers, and millions of people across all walks of life came together to protest the abusive policies of the Trump Administration, including the cuts to education and healthcare funding, the crackdown on freedom of expression and academic freedom on university campuses, and the aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on schools and communities.

The administration’s immigration policy is raising serious concerns among Americans. Abusive detentions and deportations as well as violent ICE raids are creating a climate of fear in communities across the country.

Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, traditionally a sanctuary city, were met with a violent response from the Trump Administration who deployed thousands of troops, including 700 U.S. Marines, to the city despite opposition from local and state officials.

Union leader David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested while protesting ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was released on bond after spending three nights in jail but he remains charged with conspiracy to impede an officer, a felony that could result in up to six years in prison. Many fear the Administration aims to make an example out of Huerta in order to discourage other activists.

Historic day of action

Organisers of the No Kings protests estimate that more than five million people participated in more than 2,100 cities and towns, including the flagship event in Philadelphia. Over 200,000 people participated in New York, over 100,000 in Philadelphia, and some towns like Pentwater, Michigan saw 400 people join the protest, out of a population of 800.

In response to this historic day of action, the No Kings Coalition issued the following statement: “This administration disappears people while cutting their care—slashing healthcare, gutting education, and criminalizing immigrants instead of delivering dignity. But today was a reminder: we are still here. Still organizing. Still rising. Still unafraid. We don’t do kings in this country. We do solidarity. We do community. We do justice—and we do it together.”

Independence Day: Global day of solidarity with educators and education in the U.S.

On the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, educators around the world are rallying to express their solidarity with EI member organisations the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and public education in the U.S.

The NEA and the AFT are on the frontlines, mobilising and organising to defend public education, students, and school communities from the unrelenting attacks of the Trump administration.

Cutting funding for public education, dismantling the Department of Education, cancelling diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, financially blackmailing universities to muzzle free speech on campus are all measures that undermine the right to education and the freedom to learn. When these rights are threatened, democracy is in danger.

Click here to find out how you can join the mobilisation to defend the right to public education, academic freedom, and to stand up with educators and students in the United States.