VIDEO: Local educators start walkout day with roadside demonstrations

As Seattle educators start their one-day walkout to protest the state of education funding, the promised picketing at local high schools gave way to lively demonstrations at busy intersections nearby. We are just back from two locations: First, two quick video clips we first published to social media: Above, many of those who gathered at Chief Sealth IHS are on the corners at Delridge/Thistle; below, many of those who gathered at West Seattle HS are on the corners at Admiral/California.

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on May 19, 2015 at 8:29am PDT

By our rough count, at least 150 were at Delridge/Thistle, more than 100 at Admiral/California, and some others are also at 35th/Fauntleroy and 35th/Thistle. Both groups included educators from the respective high schools’ feeder schools as well as the high schools themselves. Andrea, below, teaches at Roxhill Elementary:

Around 10, they’re scheduled to head downtown and join others from around the city for a rally and march.

ADDED 9:31 AM: Adding photos. First one was texted to us:

Tiniest striker. Her name is Dixie Norris and she is supporting all the teachers, especially her mom Nicole Nichols who runs the autism program at Chief Sealth.

In the middle of the Admiral demonstrators, we found County Executive Dow Constantine:

Other messages were interspersed with the exhortations about education funding:

At both sites (as you can hear in our quick video clips above), lots of horn-honking from passing drivers.

Shared by Schmitz Park Elementary supporters – this video:

More…

Teri Ensley May 19, 2015 (12:16 pm)

Supporting our Teachers equates to supporting our children. Period.

Even though I don’t have any children that I know of, I support our public schools…with every vote and by giving my time through out the years.

And once your children graduate, please continue supporting our public schools. Remember…someone else supported yours because they understood the bigger picture—children are our future. Let’s make theirs as bright as possible.

PS Dow…Sabrina is very proud of you right now.

Be mama May 19, 2015 (4:51 pm)

No school age kids yet. But very cool to see so many community members joining the demonstration.

wetone May 20, 2015 (9:03 am)

Seen all to often in Seattle these days are Seattle officials in this case County Executive Dow Constantine supporting and participating in an illegal action by the school teachers. Great thing to teach and show the kids and public. Try doing the type of thing in the private sector and see where it gets you. Only government/state employees can do things as this and get away with no repercussions. Breaking the law…..Breaking the law…… Wrong way to cure problem.

LStephens May 20, 2015 (1:41 pm)

Wetone,

I’m curious what your solution would be to “cure the problem”?

The Legislature doesn’t seem to be able to cure the problem and they are the ones in charge of funding the schools and reducing class size. I don’t have kids and I support the walkouts because it’s the right thing to do when our elected officials can’t get their job done. Way to go Dow Constantine and all of the other folks who are working to get the funding and class reductions that we voted for.

Roxanna May 21, 2015 (8:14 pm)

They actually aren’t state or government employees. They are district employees and they walked out with the support of district administration…

Teaching our youth to stand up and hold legislators accountable for what students and teachers are entitled to through the McLeary Act, is a FABULOUS example to set in my opinion.

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