May Day Protests Supported by Teachers’ Unions

A movement pushing for “taxing the rich” and the elimination of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is slated to see significant support from the largest teachers’ unions in the U.S. during the upcoming May Day protests.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have both backed the May Day actions, which prominently feature protests against ICE’s activities.

Reports suggest that the NEA has directed around $1.4 million to the Midwest Academy since 2020, based on financial disclosures noted by one outlet.

The Midwest Academy is known for training progressive activists and is reportedly gearing up for the May Day protests. Documents shared by Parents Defending Education indicate that training sessions are being held to prepare demonstrators for the nationwide event on May 1st.

Many news sources describe these protests as a continuation of the earlier “No Kings” protests aimed at the Trump administration.

Protest organizers, numbering in the hundreds across various organizations, have a series of demands, which include:

• Taxing the rich
• Abolishing ICE
• Ending all wars
• Abolishing private armies
• Expanding democracy
• Ensuring “Hands off our votes” (no federal oversight of polling places)

Those advocating for a nationwide “General Strike” are encouraging people to completely halt “work, school, and shopping.”

While the NEA has issued what it calls a comprehensive “solidarity” toolkit—which includes guides for hosting events and links for participation—its specific position on teacher and student absences during the protests remains somewhat ambiguous. Reports suggest that it’s unclear whether the NEA officially endorses skipping school or walkouts.

The union has yet to offer a comment on this situation.

“This May Day will feature a variety of rallies, marches, teach-ins, labor actions, and a firm refusal of business as usual,” stated the NEA on its website. “Collective action is our way to address a rigged system.”

They also listed additional demands in line with the broader goals for May Day:

• Halting the billionaire influence and corruption seen during the Trump administration.
• Safeguarding programs like Medicaid and Social Security that many depend on.
• Ensuring full funding for public education, healthcare, and housing for everyone.
• Defending our communities against harmful policies targeting immigrants, people of color, Native individuals, those with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

“This highlights how activists and teachers unions are using schools to pursue their political agendas,” remarked Rhyen Staley, Director of Research for Parents Defending Education. “It’s concerning that one suggested strategy is to enter schools to protest policies, as this jeopardizes the safety and education of children for political motives.”

The NEA has a history of backing progressive causes and has reportedly contributed nearly $180 million to various left-wing organizations since 2015, according to Parents Defending Education. The AFT has also made considerable donations to similar causes, resulting in a combined total exceeding $255 million, which has been directed to support Democratic congressional candidates.

In a letter from February, NEA’s Government Relations Director urged the Senate to oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security due to accountability concerns regarding ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

“Votes on this matter may factor into NEA’s report card for the 119th Congress,” she noted.