Last Saturday, over 100 residents of Long Beach gathered at the Teachers Association of Long Beach to voice their anger over the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
Teacher Bernice Baneras passionately urged the crowd to protect vulnerable students. “Without funding, where will our students with disabilities go?” she asked, highlighting a pressing concern.
In a notable move, President Trump appointed Elon Musk to head a new group called DOGE, aimed at cutting government waste. However, critics argue that this small team is made up of wealthy executives and ideologues taking control of critical systems in the U.S. Treasury and other major agencies. Reports suggest Musk’s team has access to sensitive information about millions of Americans.
Despite federal judges attempting to block these actions, high-ranking officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have publicly criticized these rulings.
During the rally, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson expressed gratitude to teachers and students for defending the Department of Education. He shared his grandmother’s struggle during the Jim Crow era to ensure her children received a quality education. “We’ve seen attacks on education before,” he said. “An uninformed electorate is dangerous for our democracy.”
Representative Robert Garcia also spoke at the rally. As an educator and immigrant, he expressed pride in the hard work of immigrants and their contributions to America. He called out the Trump Administration’s efforts to dehumanize immigrants and emphasized the importance of hope and action.
Speakers painted a grim picture of the potential fallout from dismantling the Department of Education. Activist Nadia Tushnet explained that the department’s research helps educators understand effective teaching methods. “Without it, teachers lack the guidance they need to succeed,” she noted.
She highlighted the impact on funding, particularly in less resourced areas. Tushnet mentioned that Title I funding, crucial for schools serving low-income students, could face severe cuts. “Urban and rural districts would be hit hardest,” she explained.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond assured attendees that California would support schools if federal funding were to be pulled. “The president can’t abolish the Department of Education without Congress,” he clarified. He also spoke about legislation to protect schools from ICE enforcement actions.
Garcia stressed that protecting public education requires collective action beyond just laws. “We need to stand against those harming our children, especially those facing challenges,” he insisted. He recounted how labor unions successfully deterred Musk’s team from accessing the Department of Labor after thousands rallied in response.
Long Beach school board member Juan Benitez called on absent officials to take a stand for equitable education funding. “We’re here for a high-quality public education for all students,” he said.
As the rally concluded, Mayor Richardson inspired the crowd to continue the fight for education. “We need to advocate for our children and ensure they get the education they deserve,” he urged. “Let’s not wait until it directly affects us. Together, we can make a difference.”
