More than 12,000 teachers and supporters in Indianapolis rallied at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to demand more school funding.
The Indiana State Teachers Association organized "Red for Ed Action Day," leading half of the school districts in Indiana to close for the day. Their chants reportedly interrupted lawmakers' speeches meant to mark the beginning of the 2020 legislative session.
A key demand is higher pay. Many at the rally say they've been teaching for decades and have had to pick up second and third jobs to pay their bills. Others say their schools don't receive enough funding to provide adequate supplies.
One teacher's sign read: "It's not even December and my school ran out of paper. What's your plan for that, or do we have to buy that too?"
Later in the day, the rally moved inside the Statehouse, where teachers and advocates urged state leaders to listen.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shared his support for Tuesday's rally in a statement, saying: "Today is a great opportunity for educators, families and community members to express their voice at the people's house. I remain committed to finding long-term sustainable solutions to increase teacher compensation."
