(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Educators, parents, students and advocates gathered at the New York State Capitol Tuesday (March 4th) in a demonstration of unity and commitment to public education.

The rally was part of a nationwide Protect Our Kids Day of Action that spanned more than 2,000 locations to push back against proposed Federal cuts that would decimate the U.S. Department of Education, while giving tax breaks to billionaires.

Led by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Melinda Person, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Public Employees Federation 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.

“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.”

Educators and advocates highlighted the damaging impact of these proposed cuts, which would strip funding from rural, suburban and urban schools.

New York students would lose vital support systems and opportunities, including $1.5 billion in Title I funds that ensure quality education services for low-income students across the State and roughly $1 billion that goes to support services for half a million students with disabilities.

Speakers urged State and Federal Lawmakers to take immediate action to safeguard education funding and support policies that strengthen - not weaken, public schools.

“We have to protect our kids,” Weingarten said. “And once again, we have to fight to make sure that federal funding isn’t gutted. We’re here in Albany to fight for more funding, to fight for more support, to make sure our schools are places that help all of our kids. To make sure that kids have food, to make sure that kids have career and tech ed, to make sure we have mental health services. We’re here to fight for more, not to have the rug pulled out from under us.”

NYSUT Editor’s Note: Read More About Devastating Consequences The Federal Cuts Would Have In New York.

Photo Courtesy Of NYSUT.