Friend,

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, students, parents and educators are facing an uncertain new school year. Our schools need resources to prevent the virus from spreading in the classroom, which is why the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act in May.

But instead of passing this much-needed relief bill to invest $1 trillion in schools, states and communities, President Trump, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have failed for months to make sure that public schools have the resources they need to open safely this fall. Senate Republicans have refused to even consider the HEROES Act. With only two months before Election Day, this may be the last moment to demand these resources before every elected official turns their attention to elections full time.

We cannot allow Trump to forfeit our children’s future. We have to stand up and demand better. This Wednesday, Sept. 2, we’re holding a day of action to demand safe schools. Click here to find an event in your area.

This day of action will include hundreds of local events organized by parents, students, educators and community members nationwide. Events will range from small demonstrations with handmade or printed signs, to car caravans, events at local schools, actions at GOP district offices, and more.

You can join a local action—or organize your own—to show support for public schools and demand the federal COVID-19 relief aid needed to open schools safely and to support our children’s education.

We encourage everyone planning or attending an action to follow COVID-19 prevention protocols. That means participants should wear masks, and organizers should make masks available; participants should stay at least 6 feet away from others; everyone should wash their hands whenever possible and use hand sanitizer often; and no one should share phones.

We need your voice to demand safe schools for our students. Click here to RSVP for an event, and share with your friends and family on social media.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT president