Local parents support teachers right to rally in Raleigh

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Thousands of teachers from around the state, including hundreds from the Cape Fear, will rally in Raleigh. Parents in the area are expressing their thoughts on the decisions.

“These teachers are the people that are educating our youth, our kids and they’re building our community up and it’s really a bummer that they have to go rally for themselves,” parent Courtney Messick said.

On Wednesday, thousands of teachers will be in Raleigh to lobby lawmakers for better pay and working conditions. As a result, kids won’t be in school in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. And many parents say they support the teachers efforts.

“Teachers teach their students that they should fight for their rights and speak what they believe in, so they should have that right as well. They should be able to go, speak for their rights in Raleigh if they want to and fight for what’s right,” parent Melinda Finch said.

Some parents believe it’s good teachers are doing what they can to fight for things like more money for the schools, but are just upset it got to this point.

“I hate that they even have to go through this and we have to explain to our kids why they’re not going to school on Wednesday, because the teachers- what they have to do and I totally have their backs 100%. I full back them up. I feel like this is something they should do,” Messick said.

As for what to do about childcare, many said parents will have to find a way to accommodate them.

“That means parents are probably going to have to take off from work so then they’re going to miss out on a day of pay and the situation of the world today, we just need to come together, talk more, listen. a lot of these things that are going on now can be prevented,” grandparent Jacqueline Delts said.

Many of the parents and grandparents said if students are able to exercise their rights, then teachers should be able to do the same thing.