Hands Off My Public Education
This past weekend, the 50501 Movement organized the "Hands Off" protests, rallying people across the nation to demand protection for vital public services like education, healthcare, and social programs. I joined the Eugene, Oregon rally and witnessed firsthand the intensity and urgency of this nationwide movement. People gathered to express their frustration over the Trump administration’s approach to public services, making one thing clear: public services, including public education, are essential.
Eugene’s rally was just one of many across the country, each part of a larger push to challenge policies that have sparked economic instability and eroded social services. For many protesters, the movement was about more than opposing specific policies, it was about reclaiming a future threatened by corporate interests that put profit ahead of people’s needs. From the moment I arrived at City Hall, the seriousness of the mood was unmistakable. Protesters of all ages raised signs with slogans like, "Hands Off My Public Education," sending a powerful message against the dismantling of public education.
What stood out most that day was the resilience of the crowd. The energy was palpable, and it reminded me of the power ordinary citizens wield when they unite for a common cause. This was more than a protest, it was a call to action, a reminder that our country’s future depends on our willingness to fight for the things that matter most. The protests in Eugene, and across the nation, embodied the spirit of resistance and the determination to secure a better future. We must demand that the government protect the essential programs that so many rely on. If we hope to preserve the American dream for future generations, we must continue to stand up and speak out until the policies that prioritize the people over corporate interests become the foundation of this nation’s future.
As I stood in the crowd, I couldn’t help but think, the world is watching. The rise of protests and civic action in the United States sends a powerful message to people around the globe. Activists in other nations are witnessing as ordinary Americans take a stand against policies that threaten their communities. Our fight for public education, healthcare, and social services is part of a larger global struggle for the rights of ordinary people. The resilience we’re showing is a beacon for others battling oppressive systems, proving that when people unite for justice, no force, political or corporate, can suppress the will of the people. We are not alone in this fight. Our actions signal to the world that the power of the people can rise against even the most powerful political and corporate forces.
Additionally, my mind kept returning to a recent announcement by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). On Tuesday, the ODE shared the devastating news that federal funds meant to support key educational programs would be cut, effective March 28, ten months earlier than expected. This funding was crucial for five programs designed to provide training, resources, and professional networks to educators statewide. These programs were intended to improve classroom instruction for Oregon’s 547,000 students, especially in math and English language arts, where state assessments have shown significant gaps in proficiency. The very programs that the ODE had been leveraging to support teachers and improve student outcomes are now at risk. The Trump administration’s policies have left many districts struggling to make up for these lost resources, as schools are forced to cancel important work that benefits students, particularly those in underfunded districts.
It's hard to read the news these days without feeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of bad headlines. The state of our education system, the erosion of public services, and the policies that seem to consistently prioritize corporate interests over the well-being of ordinary citizens can make it feel like progress is slipping further away. After this weekend, seeing the turnout at rallies across the United States, I’m reminded that we still have the power to fight back. Despite the system that continues to underfund and deprioritize the very resources that could improve educational outcomes for future generations, the fact that so many people are stepping up to demand change gives me optimism. There’s strength in numbers, and when ordinary citizens rise up together, it feels like we can still shape the future we want to see.
