Above photo: Activists and organizers with Debt Collective march to the U.S. Capitol during the Fund Education, Not Genocide protest in Washington, D.C. on May 22, 2024. Valerie Plesch.
Scenes from the Debt Collective’s “Fund Education, Not Genocide” Rally in Washington, D.C.
A dozen Debt Collective members were arrested when a coalition of students, debtors and cease-fire activists gathered recently in Washington, D.C. with a simple demand: “Fund Education, Not Genocide.”
Pointing to the Biden administration’s use of executive powers to approve millions of dollars in arms shipments to Israel — and his refusal to use that same authority to advance student debt relief — Debt Collective organizers marched from the Department of Education to the Capitol to make their voices heard.
Democratic Congresswomen Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) addressed the crowd, urging attendees to keep the pressure on the Biden administration. “It seems, over and over again, that our country seems to find funds and money and courage when it comes to endless wars,” said Tlaib.
A dozen Debt Collective members were just arrested after a hundred protestors marched from the Department of Education to the U.S. Capitol to demand the Biden administration Fund Education, Not Genocide. pic.twitter.com/fUU8CYuZs9
— The Debt Collective 🟥 (@StrikeDebt) May 22, 2024
At the Capitol, activists unfurled banners reading “You Are Not a Loan” and “1,700,000,000,000” (referring to the total student loan debt in the United States) before they were ordered to leave by Capitol police.
In These Times captured scenes from the rally. Below, community members explain why they attended and what they’re fighting for.