Fighting for public education funding

Educators and allies rallied to protect public education funding from Olympia and D.C., taking part in a national day of action

LYNNWOOD, WA (March 5, 2025) — Educators, families, and allies gathered Tuesday at the Lynnwood Convention Center to protest cuts to public education, calling attention both to cuts to the Department of Education and cuts to state services proposed by Washington Governor Bob Ferguson.

Educators from the American Federation of Teachers Washington and the Washington Education Association also rallied in Olympia, Tacoma, and Yakima, joined by fellow union members from WSNA and other unions.

Yesterday’s actions in Washington State are part of a national day of action led by AFT across the U.S., calling on the federal government to protect public education from the cuts to the Department of Education outlined in the House’s budget resolution, which includes cuts to student loans, Pell grants, Medicaid, and life-saving research funding.

I’m so proud of our members and my staff for organizing more than 2,000 actions to #ProtectOurKids today. All of your photos, local news media coverage, and video clips are a reminder that together we can accomplish what is impossible alone!https://t.co/tBS4NMZbQA pic.twitter.com/Y1eBXCP3EF

— Randi Weingarten 🇺🇸💪🏿👩‍🎓🟣🇺🇦 (@rweingarten) March 5, 2025

In combination with the newly-confirmed Secretary of Education announcing plans for the “final mission” of the Department of Education, federal attacks on public education are sowing uncertainty and anger. Cuts proposed at the state level are compounding that unease and frustration.

“Washington’s leaders are failing community colleges,” said President of Edmonds College Federation of Teachers Local 4254 Scott Haddock, in a statement. “Furloughs and pay cuts mean fewer classes, overworked faculty, and students left behind. Meanwhile, the wealthy get tax breaks while educators struggle. Lawmakers must step up and fund education now—our students and communities depend on it.”

As lawmakers consider budgets both in this Washington and in that Washington, educators are making sure the stakes are clear. In a statement, AFT Washington underlined the life-changing power of education to build skills to not merely survive but to thrive: “Our system of public education, in Washington and in America, should be a powerful tool that builds our communities, our workforce, and our future, all in one.”