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May Day! May Day! Celebrating the Power of Solidarity

During this national day of action, more than 1,300 events, involving thousands of NEA members, were held in all 50 states—plus Washington, D.C.
May Day rally Andrew Tawes
NEA President Becky Pringle (center) leads a May Day march in Washington, D.C.

Across the United States on May 1, working people stood together for fair wages, respect, an end to the assault on immigrants, and more. 

"Why do we march on May Day? We march because billionaires are defunding our public schools and breaking promises to our students," explains NEA President Becky Pringle. "We march on May Day because working people—teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors—they all deserve more than just survival."

May Day is International Workers Day, which began in the late 1880s when U.S. workers began organizing for an 8-hour day. Now, as the Trump administration steps on workers while bracing billionaires, working people rallied outside schools, in town squares, and across the United States. Thousands marched in Ohio. Dozens came to a middle school in Des Moines. From California to Connecticut, and Michigan to Massachusetts, working people raised their voices. Many were NEA members, fed up with cuts to public education and the supports their students need. 

In Washington, D.C., a May Day march swept past NEA headquarters, where educators from across the U.S. waited and joined in. It culminated in a park across from the White House, where participants heard from U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, of Hawaii, and U.S. Reps. Ilyan Omar, of Minn., and Pramila Jayapal, of Wash. They also heard from Jennifer Vasquez, the wife of Kilmar Abrego García, the Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration, currently held in a deadly El Salvadoran prison.

Listen to NEA Becky Pringle at May Day Rally

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Mary Ellen Flannery

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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.