Global education union movement rallies in solidarity with educators in the United States as they resist relentless attacks from the Trump Administration
On the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, education unions around the world are standing up in support of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Our colleagues are on the frontlines, mobilising and organising to defend public education, students, and school communities from the authoritarian policies of the Trump Administration.
Public education, teachers, education support personnel, and students in the United States are facing unrelenting attacks from the current 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, censorship in the classroom are all measures that undermine the right to education and the freedom to learn. When these rights are threatened, democracy is in danger.
Addressing thousands of education unionists at the Representative Assembly of the NEA in Portland, EI General Secretary David Edwards stressed that “on this 4th of July the teachers, activists, and unions from EI stand ready to extend their solidarity with you as you have done with them”.
“You are not alone. We stand in solidarity with you. All of our members have pledged their solidarity with you as you face this dark moment. We know that this is our duty – to resist”, added Mugwena Maluleke, Education International President.
From Taiwan to Brazil, from Senegal to Canada, and from Hungary to Australia, Education International member organisation from all over the world have mobilised to send colleagues in the United States a message of steadfast solidarity as they oppose the assault on their schools and democracy.
“When education is under attack, we fight back. When academic freedom is threatened, we stand together. And when students, especially the most marginalised, are targeted, we defend them with everything we’ve got. You are not alone. The entire international trade union movement has your back. Keep fighting. You can and you will win”, said Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union in the United Kingdom.
In his solidarity message, Alfonso Cepeda Salas, General Secretary of SNTE Mexico and member of the EI Executive Board, highlighted that “teachers and education support staff deserve respect, resources and the freedom to teacher the truth without censorship. Students, especially those who are most vulnerable, deserve safe, inclusive, and well-resourced schools. From Mexico, we see you, we support you, we are with you. Union solidarity knows no borders”.
Noting that educators in the US and in Argentina are facing similar threats and attacks, Roberto Baradel, EI Executive Board member from CTERA Argentina, expressed his conviction that “international solidarity and our common fight will succeed in reversing this situation”.
Correna Haythorpe, Federal President of the Australian Education Union and member of the EI Executive Board, stated that “the AUE is appalled by the Trump Administration’s attacks on public education, attacks which impact on us all, not only in America, but on the global education community. To the NEA and the AFT, we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you in solidarity in this fight”.
“From Senegal, we stand with you. You have all our solidarity. Solidarity in defence of public education, of inclusion, of diversity. We teach, we march, we defend human rights. In the classrooms, in the street, in our communities, we support each other. SYPROS together with Education International tell you: Solidarity, solidarity, solidarity!” said Marième Sakho Dansokho, EI Vice-President for Africa and General Secretary of the Teacher Trade Union of Senegal (SYPROS).
Heleno Araújo, EI Vice-President for Latin America and President of CNTE Brazil echoed these sentiments, stressing that “we are coming together to extend our solidarity and all our support and strength to educators in the United States. You can count on us, on our solidarity to overcome this difficult moment”.
“For public education, for freedom of expression, for diversity, equity and inclusion, for academic freedom, for the rights of education workers, we will continue to support your important struggle to defend democracy”, added Maike Finnern, EI Vice-President for Europe and President of GEW Germany.
Click here to read all the solidarity messages in support of our colleagues in the United States.
