Thousands of Virginia public school teachers rallied at the state Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday, in protest against what they view as low wages and a lack of school funding.
“Teachers are desperate because Virginia is $9,000 a year below the national average, but our cost-of-living and our income level as a state is much, much higher, so it makes it very hard to live when there is a 14 percent difference between what another graduate makes with the same degree and what you make as a teacher,” said Cheryl Binkley, one of the rally organizers.
A number of city officials, including the Democratic mayor of Richmond Levar Stoney, joined the rally and demanded state leaders to reverse education budget cuts. The day of action followed a number of strikes which are taking place all across the country, with teachers demanding a pay rise and urging public authorities to increase the spending in education.