Madison public schools CANCEL May 1 classes so teachers can protest ICE

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) in Wisconsin has announced that classes will be canceled on Friday, May 1, citing anticipated staff shortages because teachers will be protesting for illegal immigrants on May Day.

In a message sent to parents obtained by Libs of TikTok, district officials said Madison Teachers Inc. (MTI), the local teachers union, reported that roughly 70 percent of staff had signed on to take part in “A Day Without Immigrants,” an event aligned with broader May Day activism. The district warned that the high level of expected absences would leave schools unable to operate safely due to insufficient supervision and educational support.

“As a result of anticipated low staff turnout, we believe this will directly affect the safety of our community,” the district said, adding that after reviewing possible options, officials decided to cancel school for all students.

The closure means students across the district will miss a full day of instruction, and no after-school programs will be available. The move has drawn criticism from some parents and observers who argue that students are being forced to sacrifice classroom time while educators engage in political activism.

Last week, The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI obtained messaging circulated by the National Education Association’s political arm, EdAction, promoting May Day as a nationwide mobilization, claiming hundreds of events planned across the country and calling on educators and their allies to “show up everywhere” in coordinated action. The campaign encourages rallies, marches, and “teach-ins,” framing the effort as a show of collective political power and prioritizing activist engagement over normal school operations.