On Monday, January 16th, 2017, more than a thousand schools were represented at the state capitol for the rally for Student Civil Rights and Amply Funded Public Schools.  The purpose of this rally was to peacefully demonstrate an interest in getting the McCleary law enforced and insisting that legislators’ “paramount duty” is to the students and educators of Washington.  

Kim Mead, President of the Washington Education Association and key organizer of the Student Civil Rights rally stated that the legislators’ duty to education was “not merely a legal requirement, but a moral one.”  She went on to say that basic education should look like a two hundred and ten day school year, increased school bus routes, and provided school supplies for all students.

Duncan, a student at Garfield High School Seattle Central who spoke at the rally, exclaimed, “It’s often hard to understand what it means to be underfunded.”  His view was that all students deserve the ability to take as many classes as would allow, regardless of class limits. He concluded, “I implore members of the Washington State Legislature to keep these students in mind and meet their constitutional obligation to fully fund education.”

Foster High School social studies teacher Andrea Gamboa from Tukwila stated education was “Washington’s paramount duty,” and that serving her students has been her personal paramount duty, a common theme throughout the rally. Pushing a message of peace and diversity she noted, “My students are Muslim, undocumented, hardworking, athletic, and all Americans! All of us have a responsibility to ensure they are safe and have what you need for success.”

Another social studies teacher, Paul Schneider, a member of the Spokane School Board, compared this rally to the ones held by Reverend King. “As we gather today, I’m reminded less of the marches, boycotts and sit-ins and more about the impassioned message of hope and opportunity that Dr. King envisioned for all people.  It’s that willingness to believe that our democracy, while flawed and imperfect, is the best opportunity we have to ensure the hopes and dreams of its people.”