On Saturday, January 12, several thousand teachers, students, staff and supporters marched and rallied in Oakland to defend public education and call for increased funding. Berkeley teachers attended in solidarity. The Oakland Education Association contract has expired and teachers are discussing striking in February. Hundreds of printed signs read, "Ready to Strike for the Schools that Students Deserve."

Los Angeles public school teachers went on strike for the first time in three decades. On Monday, January 14, tens of thousands of teachers braved pouring rain on the picket line for the strike’s first day. Some 20,000 people marched through downtown Los Angeles, demanding smaller class sizes, higher pay, the regulation of charter schools and more nurses, counselors and librarians. Over 31,000 members of United Teachers Los Angeles are striking.

Oakland teachers are promising a wildcat strike on Friday, January 18.

Rally to Defend Public Education in Oakland | Get Up Get Down! Oakland Is A Union Town — Mass March and Rally To Defend Public Education | Oakland Rally — Defend Public Education | “Public Education Is Not Your Plaything”: L.A. Teachers Strike Against Privatization & Underfunding