PRESS STATEMENT

Turning Challenges Into Change: Fully Funding Our Children's Future in New York

NEW YORK, N.Y. (November 21, 2024) – In response to the general election results, the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:

“Like so many who took time to process or are still processing the results of the general election, we, too, needed time. While the challenges ahead may seem monumental, the solutions are within our reach. True justice begins in our communities, and when we unite and take action locally, we lead the way forward. New York State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, must stand strong against federal attacks on our communities and public schools. She must ensure our public schools teach the truth, provide a high-quality public education to every child, and equip them with the knowledge and civic-mindedness to build a more just and equitable future. The Alliance for Quality Education believes New York has the power to lead the nation, but that leadership starts with fighting for our children’s future - today.

“We always knew that regardless of who occupied the White House or held the majority in Congress, the work was far from over. We hoped we wouldn’t find ourselves in this moment, but here we are. The question now is: are we ready to fight for our children and their future?

“The pain and frustration of working families -  our base - is real. We must hear them and understand why so many feel abandoned. We can’t hide behind fear. We must face these challenges head-on and rise together in solidarity. Over the next four years, standing shoulder to shoulder with our Black, brown, indigenous, disabled, queer, immigrant, and undocumented neighbors will be essential in confronting the hate and division that threaten to tear us apart. This fight is going to be about more than policies alone - it’s about creating a vision of justice that includes everyone. We must prioritize the care of our most vulnerable children and fight for progressive legislation that ensures equitable policies and holds the New York State legislature accountable to the people, not big money.

“New York, the wealthiest state in the nation, continues to underfund and underserve its children. The Alliance for Quality Education calls on state leaders to act now to create budgets that serve the many, not the few. We have the resources to fund universal child care, ensure safe, affordable housing, advance climate justice, and a more equitable public school system. New York must fully fund public education in 2025, invest in child care, and protect the rights of queer and disabled students, reproductive freedom, and truth in our classrooms.

“As Audre Lorde so powerfully said, “Sometimes we are blessed with being able to choose the time, and the arena, and the manner of our revolution, but more usually we must do battle where we are standing,” said Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.