Ricky Tibbs, right, holds a sign stating his opposing point of view during a rally at the state Capitol in Nashville on Saturday. Supporters and opponents of collective bargaining rights for teachers held separate events. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)NASHVILLE-Teachers from across the state are coming to the state Capitol today to march in opposition to Republican lawmakers’ attempts to end collective bargaining by educators.
But Tennessee Education Association members, who expect at least 2,000 educators to attend, will find company at the Capitol in the form of tea party activists, who plan a dueling rally in support of stripping away collecting bargaining powers and other legislation attacking the teachers union.
The two groups disagree on most points but do have one thing in common – National Weather Service forecasts are calling for heavy rain that could depress turnout.
“We’ll be buying ponchos,” observed Hamilton County Education Association President Sharon Vandagriff, who said 200 to 300 county teachers are expected to come, weather permitting.
She said the purpose of the march and a subsequent rally is to “show the General Assembly and the public that educators and community members stand together for the future of schools. We’re facing basically what we call attacks on teachers.”