Local protesters at Rep. Walberg's office react to DOE dismantling

NILES, Mich. -- A rally gathered outside the Niles district office of Congressman Tim Walberg Thurs. afternoon, delivering a letter asking Walberg to hear constituents and protect the Department of Education (DOE).

The protesters, organized by the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, placed the letter in Walberg’s office, which is comprised of signatures from 85 Michigan school board members from 36 districts, including five Michigan State Board of Education members.

“Delivering that letter so that it is clear that the individuals that have been voted by the various governing bodies of the state of Michigan are not in support of the direction of the federal government and the Department of Education changes that are being made,” said the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education President, Dashuna Robinson.

About an hour into the rally, the news came that Trump signed the executive order dismantling the DOE.

“I’m extremely disappointed in our government and the Trump administration and choosing to make this step to dismantle the Department of Education. I know that there is talks that this is meant to make education better on a federal level for our students, but I believe it is a small step and a disastrous direction to completely dismantle the Department of Education,” said Robinson.

The organizers asked protesters to ‘Wear Red in support of Ed’. Robinson explained that didn’t symbolize anyone’s political party, saying school issues should always be bipartisan.

“This is not about democrats or republicans, it’s not about big business or billionaires, it’s about public education and what is best for our current students, as well as our future leaders of society because we are stripping away their very ability to be educated,” said Robinson.