For the first time in 30 years, Los Angeles teachers have gone on strike. After 21 months of failed negotiations, 30,000 teachers – represented by the United Teachers of Los Angeles – started picketing at 7:30 a.m. on Monday. The educators are looking for an increase in salary, a reduction in classroom sizes, and more nurses, counselors, and librarians in school. As supporters wear red, join their protests, and use their platforms to draw attention to the strikes, taco truck owners are also showing they’re in solidarity with the teachers. Around the city, taco truck operators showed up and handed out food to picketers.
At Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, about 50 picketers were treated to conchas and coffee, courtesy of couple Tirsa and Steve Farah. Tirsa, who has several educators in her family, felt it was her duty to protest alongside them.
Then, there was Victor Fernandez, who dressed like a taco, and said the International Socialists Organization intended to have taco trucks at five different schools. And as the strike continues, they’ll keep supporting the teachers. “There’s common everyday people who want to support what the teachers are doing especially given the Trump Administration, especially given the corporatization of our schools,” he told Los Angeles Times’ Steve Saldivar.
The International Socialists Organization and the Democratic Socialists of America started the Taco for Teachers fund to help feed the picketers throughout the strike. So far, it has raised more than $21,000. Donate here.