Members of Colorado’s largest teachers’ union, the Colorado Education Association, plan to protest U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos when she visits Denver on Wednesday, reportedly to address the American Legislative Exchange Council at its annual meeting.
The group of conservative state legislators advocates for limited government, free markets, and federalism.
Although she’s not on the conference agenda, Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonprofit news organization that covers education issues statewide, said pro-voucher, pro-school choice DeVos will be among the presenters.
The union says she will speak on the first day of the conference, which runs Wednesday through Friday at the Hyatt Regency.
The “Denver Resists DeVos” protest will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the west steps of the Capitol by parents, teachers, students, liberal activists, political candidates for November’s election, and others.
Kevin Vick, president of the Pikes Peak region’s only collective bargaining teachers’ union, the Colorado Springs Education Association representing School District 11, said he did not know of any members attending the event.
After a short rally, protesters will march to the Hyatt Regency and conclude at 11:30 a.m.
It will be DeVos’ first visit to Colorado since her heated congressional confirmation.
DeVos has ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council, reports Chalkbeat. She is the founder of the American Federation for Children, which provides financial support to the exchange council and has representation on the group’s education and workforce development task force.
