The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are joining other leftist groups and encouraging members to celebrate May Day Strong National Day of Action with hundreds of rallies across the country.
To be clear, the events taking place on May 1 aren’t a celebration of spring, with frolicking around maypoles, wearing flower wreaths and delivering baskets of spring blossoms to friends.
May Day, also known as International Workers Day, started as a commemoration of a violent labor feud in Chicago in 1886, with workers protesting unsafe working conditions and striking to win an eight-hour workday. But anarchist, Marxist, socialist and labor groups quickly adopted the day in 1899.
Communist countries used May Day to celebrate their military power and the government takeover of private property and the means of production.
May Day Strong is an anti-capitalist political event, rooted in Marxist and socialist ideologies.
But I’m sure the educators in these unions know their history.
Many individual teachers love children, do good work and are subject matter experts, but it’s clear that the two largest teachers unions have been co-opted by radical activists.
The NEA and AFT are part of a May Day Strong coalition, with hundreds of other leftist member groups promoting this year’s focus: “Workers Over Billionaires.” These extremist organizations are calling for a day of “No work. No school. No shopping.”
The NEA explains what the Day of Action entails, saying:
This May Day will be a day of rallies, marches, teach-ins, labor actions, and a refusal of business as usual – because when those at the top rig the system, collective action is how we set it right.
The NEA is the largest labor union in the U.S., claiming 2.8 million members. It has created a May Day 2026 Toolkit and a Walk-In Guide for educators to use as they “join workers, parents, students, and community members to rise up for dignity, justice, and public investment in our lives, not in billionaires’ profit margins.”
Walk-Ins are 30-45 minute events before the school day where “parents, educators, and students, along with neighbors and community leaders” meet in front of their school for a rally. During school hours, teachers are encouraged to have students create artwork and write reports about the day.
Again, this is a political event, with teachers unions encouraging the indoctrination of children into Marxist and socialist ideologies.
The NEA lists its “demands to build the society we ALL deserve”:
- “Stop the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration.”
- “Protect and defend Medicaid, Social Security and other programs working people rely on.”
- “Fully fund public schools, healthcare and housing for all.”
- “Stop the attacks on our communities, including policies targeting immigrants, people of color, Native people, people with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.”
The AFT and NEA join dozens of extremist anti-capitalist groups like the Communist Party USA, Labor Notes, Socialists Alternative and Democratic Socialists of America to celebrate and promote Marxist ideologies.
In a post on X, Moms for Liberty questioned why teachers unions are pushing children toward leftist political dogma – instead of teaching the basics:
Teachers unions are supposed to teach kids, not mobilize political agitation.
Now NEA, WEA [Washington Education Association], AFT, and Seattle Ed are backing May Day Strong, pushing “educate, agitate, organize,” walk-ins, and power-building.
Parents should be asking: what exactly are our schools being used for?
Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union, one of the largest AFT local groups, is calling for total school closures and promoting participation in the event as a “civic duty.”
Parents of children in public schools generally think their local schools are doing a good job. And, again, many schools and teachers do terrific work.
But national surveys demonstrate low academic achievement among most students. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the Nation’s Report Card, fewer than two thirds of American eighth graders can do math (26%), read (30%), or do science (31%) at grade level.
Despite their rhetoric, teachers unions don’t advocate for students – they advocate for teachers. Perhaps if educators spent less time agitating, organizing and power-building, we would see students performing better.
Focus on the Family’s “Equipping Parents for Back-to-School” helps you be aware of what’s happening in the classroom and empowers you to advocate for your child in school. The free, downloadable resource offers insights about exercising school choice and protecting children’s free speech and religious liberty.
Related articles and resources:
BLM at School Week – Indoctrinating and Training Radical Activist Children
‘Critical Social Justice’ in Education – If it Can Happen in Idaho, It Can Happen Anywhere
Cynthia Tobias – ‘Reclaiming Education: Teach Your Child to Be a Confident Learner’
Educators, Parents and Students Rally to Support National School Choice Week
‘Equipping Parents For Back-To-School’ – Updated Resource Empowers Parents
Is ‘Critical Race Theory’ Being Taught in Public Schools? CRT Deniers Claim it Isn’t
The National Education Association Wants to Indoctrinate Children Across the Country
NEA Subverts Parents, Says Teachers Know ‘Better Than Anyone’ What Students Need
What’s Happening in Schools? Why We Need Educational Freedom
