School advocates marching in New York for calling for funding increases

UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- New York's public education advocates are marching together in communities throughout the state to gain the attention of federal and state authorities.

The New York City People's March for Education Justice, part of a series of community-led marches, starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Trump International Hotel, 1 Central Park West, and ends at 12:30 p.m. at Gov. Cuomo's office at 633 Third Ave.

Marches are scheduled Saturday in Schenectady, Buffalo, Kingston, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, and Wyandanch.

Parents, students and teachers are calling for funding increases and investments in minority, English Language Learner and LGBT students.

Advocacy group Alliance for Quality Education said proposals from Republican President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and funding proposals in Cuomo's budget, threaten public schools' ability to provide quality learning environments.

Marchers are also calling for free college tuition, designating schools as sanctuaries that will not aid federal officials in detaining or deporting students, and measures to keep young people out of the prison system.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.