MPS Students Rally in Support of Public Education

On Wednesday, July 23, more than 1,800 youth gathered alongside Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN) at the Minnesota State Capitol to rally in support of public education.

Local CDF Freedom Schools scholars stood together to raise their voices and send a clear message to lawmakers in Saint Paul and Washington, D.C. that public education is a public good. The scholars marched from St. Paul College to the Upper Mall of the Minnesota State Capitol. There, they took part in a public Q&A session with several state lawmakers and participated in the world’s loudest Harambee celebration.

The event’s theme came in the wake of recent efforts by federal officials and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE provides essential services to more than 50 million children across the nation, including Minnesota. Last week, Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett told MPR News school funding frozen by the federal administration intended for public schools nationwide, including in Minnesota, is “massive.”

The event was part of CDF Freedom Schools’ larger National Day of Social Action (NDSA), which encourages youth to engage in displays of social and civic activism. Minneapolis Public Schools joined the march alongside local CDF Freedom Schools’ and its partners, including St. Paul Public Schools, Robbinsdale Area Schools, White Bear Lake ISD 624 and the Science Museum of Minnesota. 

“Every child deserves access to a strong public education,” said CDF-MN State Director Alisha Porter. “It’s the key to ensuring all children in our state can grow up with dignity, hope, and joy, no matter where they live.”

CDF-MN Youth Development Senior Manager Emanuell Williams said that this effort could lead to lasting change that impacts the entire state.

“On this year’s National Day of Social Action, we stand together to speak out for the future of public education. Real change begins when we raise our voices and push for policies that uplift every student. That’s what we want to model for our scholars; your voice matters now. You don’t need to wait until you are older to speak up for the change you need.”

CDF Freedom Schools®

Through the CDF Freedom Schools model, we empower youth to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, country, and world with hope, education and action. 

We provide scholars with rich, culturally relevant pedagogy and high quality books that deepen scholars’ understanding of themselves and all they have in common with others. In a multiracial, multicultural, democratic society, CDF Freedom Schools programs enable scholars to believe in their ability and responsibility to make a difference. All while instilling in them a love of reading to help them avoid summer learning loss. 

Learn more