Chicago Schools Designate May 1 as ‘Civil Action Day’
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have announced that May 1 will be observed as a “civil action day,” even with regular classes ongoing.
Recently, the CTU pushed for May 1, recognized globally as May Day or International Workers’ Day, to be a day dedicated to “civic action and the defense of public education,” effectively giving students and teachers a day off.
CTU Vice President Jackson Potter expressed that if Chicagoans want to uphold democracy in the upcoming midterm elections, it’s essential to advocate for quality public education and workers’ rights. He emphasized the need to take a stand against what he termed the “authoritarian billionaire in Washington,” implying that the usual way of doing things must change if rules are being broken.
Critics of this notion have described the May Day event as a “dress rehearsal” that they fear could transform students into supporters of the Democratic Party.
On Friday, CPS reiterated that May 1 will remain a full instructional day, with students and staff expected to be present. However, they added that state law permits schools to allow “voluntary participation” in civic engagement events for those students interested in attending protests or civic activities during school hours.
CPS stated that principals have the authority to create opportunities for students to join events, including field trips related to civic engagement, while adhering to existing travel regulations.
Sudents in grades 6 through 12 will be permitted to miss one day per grade to engage in civic events, provided they have parental permission and the event is open to the public and organized by a nonprofit or government entity.
The CEO and Superintendent, Dr. Macquline King, mentioned that the agreement respects families relying on CPS for educational time while also honoring Chicago’s history of civic engagement.
Additionally, CPS noted that starting from 2028, future May Days might shift towards being recognized as professional development days.
Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed support for CPS’s stance, highlighting that celebrating May Day allows residents to acknowledge their past while striving for a better future. He pointed out that the roots of May Day in America trace back to Chicago, where workers fought for an eight-hour workday following the Haymarket Strike. Johnson assured that all efforts would be made to ensure a safe and meaningful observance of May Day.
