The election of Donald Trump has stunned the American education unions NEA and AFT. Both unions have actively campaigned for the election of Hillary Clinton who had promised to give quality public education for all a prominent place on her political agenda.
"We poured our hopes, our energy and our hearts into this campaign to elect someone we believed would bring the change we do desperately need," says Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, in a public statement issued on Thursday. "It breaks our hearts that the Hillary Clinton we know and love was not the person so many voters saw. But our deep belief in our democracy, in the power of people together, in the cause of opportunity and justice, will compel us to come together to move forward, no matter the odds."
In a letter sent to EI affiliates today, Lily Eskelsen García, President of the National Education Association and Vice President of Education International, notes: "We are still stunned as each day unfolds. The winner, through his deeds and words, has made it clear what he intends to do with his new political power. We know that many of our students and their families are fearful. He has threatened to roll back women’s rights, religious rights, immigrant rights, LGBT rights, workers’ rights."
Lily Eskelsen García says that she understands that the election of the United States President reverberates across national boundaries. "The National Education Association will not give up; we know that we must continue to organize to fulfill the promise of quality public education and social justice in the land, knowing too, that these actions shape the path ahead for the world’s children. Though we are disheartened, we must not lose heart."
AFT President Randi Weingarten also looks ahead with optimism. "We will do what Americans have always done. We will pick ourselves up, extend a hand to our neighbors and our colleagues, and recommit ourselves to the task of fighting for an America where everyone has a fair chance; where no one is demonized, no one is excluded; and where we lift each other up rather than let anyone—even a president—push any of us down."