Between calls to action and a constant reaffirmation of support for marginalized student populations, a group of around 100 Long Beach community members gathered the morning of Feb. 8 in support of public education.
The Teacher’s Association of Long Beach hosted a rally with teachers, community organizers and elected officials who spoke against the current presidential administration’s policy efforts that would negatively impact education.
“Education is the cornerstone of our society, who goes after the Department of Education?” California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said.
President Donald Trump has been threatening to abolish the Department of Education since his campaign but the decision would require congressional approval.
Thurmond reassured parents and the community that while the dissolution of the Department of Education is unlikely, the state is ready to fight back. He pointed to California congress members like Rep. Robert Garcia — who also spoke at the rally — who have pledged to vote against legislation trying to dismantle the department.
“This is not a partisan issue, this is an issue that affects people of all backgrounds and parties,” Thurmond said.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said these actions are an attack on democracy.
“What they want is an uninformed electorate,” Richardson said. “We’ve seen it before, if you can’t read you can’t vote, you can’t think critically, you can’t speak up for the life that you want and for your family.”
Samantha Martinez, a senior at Long Beach Poly High School shared her experience as a daughter of an immigrant mother, who instilled in her the value and importance of education. She added that dismantling the Department of Education would strip away the structure and resources students need to thrive.
“Education isn’t just policy, it’s power,” Martinez said. “When we protect it, we give students not just the chance to survive, but the chance to succeed.”
Nubia Flores, a Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) parent and organizer emphasized that if there was a time for parents and teachers to be united, it is now. She urged teachers to invite parents in because they also want safe and welcoming schools, adding that collaboration is needed at all levels.
“We need elected [officials] that are going to lay upon the line just like parents, teachers and staff do every single day that kids go to school,” Flores said.
Several members of the Long Beach Unified school board were in attendance and gave speeches, including Superintendent Jill Baker, and board members Doug Otto and Juan Benitez.
During his speech, Benitez said he commits to helping pass policies that help students. He also emphasized the importance of solidarity. He added that it is important to speak out and affirm equity for all marginalized groups whether that be immigrants, emerging bilinguals, LGBTQ+ students or students with disabilities.
“All of us, whether you went to [a public school] or not, are only here because of the powerful impact that a free equitable, well-funded, high-quality public education provides to everyone,” Benitez said.
In the past weeks, LBUSD has posted messages to its website and social media recognizing the uncertainty of the current political climate, but reassuring parents that the district intends to ensure schools remain safe spaces for all students. The district created a webpage with immigration resources that will be updated periodically.
Simi Sardana, the mother of two LBUSD students, told the Signal Tribune she left the rally feeling reassured.
“Any time that we can see the community come together and support each other, you just feel empowered and you feel energized,” Sardana added. “We’re in good hands here in Long Beach.”
