Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
" I ' M N O T L E AV I N G my students or these vulnerable commu- nities. As educators, we are dedicated and we stay true to the fight," says Javier Gutierrez, social science teacher and member of Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA). "We have to be present — I'm not going away and I'm not going to be quiet!" Since the return of President Trump in January, our stu- dents, families and public education have been under attack by extremists and billionaires who are working to privatize our schools, cut education funding and hobble crucial services. e Trump Administration has unleashed a flurry of executive orders aimed at our most vulnerable students and communi- ties, and our government structures that support and protect these groups, including attempting to destroy the U.S. Depart- ment of Education (ED). Across California, educators are organizing to defend our students, families and schools. " We will continue to defend the rights of ever y student t o s c h o o l s th a t a re s a fe a n d f re e f r o m h a ra ssm e n t a n d Santa Maria educators organized a community rally to support all students. Educators organize as extremists target our vulnerable communities By Julian Peeples FIGHTING BACK T O P R O T E C T A N D D E F E N D : Against Attacks on Our Students 16 cta.org Feature