Forsyth County workers, educators rally in honor of May Day

Forsyth County residents took to the streets of downtown Winston-Salem Thursday evening in honor of International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day. 

More than a hundred people holding signs and chanting marched from the Forsyth County Courthouse down to Corpening Plaza. They joined thousands all across the country, rallying in support of working people. 

Rev. Paul Robeson Ford was one of several speakers at the march in Winston-Salem. 

“We believe housing is a human right. We believe living wages are a human right," Ford said. "We believe access to fully funded public schools is a human right.”

Public school workers made up a large portion of the crowd, with members from both the North Carolina and Forsyth County Associations of Educators present. Ronda Mays, a school social worker in Stokes County, was among them.

“A strong American democracy depends on well-educated citizens, and that education begins in our public schools," she said. 

She cited recent news that North Carolina’s ranking for average public school teacher salary dropped to 43rd in the nation. 

“Many talented educators are walking away not because they stopped caring, but because the system stopped caring for them," Mays said. 

Stuart Egan is a teacher at West Forsyth High School. He said the fight for public schools is really a fight for the whole community. 

“Because I cannot think of another entity that represents the fabric of a community, especially like Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, more than a public school system," Egan said. "We all have a stake in it.” 

Teachers in Guilford County also commemorated the holiday. They rallied outside of Sen. Thom Tillis’ office, urging him to oppose federal cuts to education. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.