Thousands of teachers protest Trump-Musk cuts outside SpaceX
Teachers’ protest rally: Protesters gather outside Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket manufacturing and testing facility in Hawthorne, Calif. to oppose federal budget cuts threatening special education. Federal education funding supports more than 800,000 students in California with ADHD, dyslexia and other disabilities. Screencap/@marcofoster/X
HAWTHORNE – A sea of protesters gathered outside Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket manufacturing and testing facility in Hawthorne Saturday to show opposition to federal budget cuts threatening special education and meal programs and a move to dismantle the US Department of Education.
Signs proclaimed the educators were “Ready to fight” the cuts ordered by President Donald Trump and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were at the rally at Crenshaw Boulevard and Jack Northrop Avenue.
HAPPENING NOW: Protesters have gathered outside SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA for a “Fight 4 Schools” rally against Donald Trump and Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/k7Ov0Ak6CK
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) May 17, 2025
Federal education funding supports more than 800,000 students in California with ADHD, dyslexia and other disabilities, representing more than 15 percent of the state’s student population, according to United Teachers Los Angeles. Schools also depend on federal funding for free and reduced-price school meals for children from families earning less than $55,000 a year.
“My son was born premature and diagnosed with a speech delay, but thanks to the Special Education program at Arminta Elementary, he found his voice,” parent Cristal Lowe said. “I can’t imagine my son losing the services he relies on just to fund tax breaks for billionaires. And I won’t stand by while other families lose what saved mine.”
Santee High School teacher Angelica Reyes said her students write about their fears that the Trump Administration will separate their families.
“No child should have to carry this kind of fear,” Reyes said. “We will not normalize this. As educators, it’s up to us to protect our students. They may have money, but we have people power. Our love melts ICE.”
The protest was part of a statewide day of action led by the California Teachers Association in cities including Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego. (CNS)
