North Carolina

Photos: NC teacher protest in Raleigh draws thousands for May Day rally

By Scott Sharpe

Updated May 1, 2026 3:41 PM

North Carolina teachers and supporters marched in downtown Raleigh, Friday, May 1, to protest cuts in funding and staff as part of May Day rallies across the country.

The event, sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Educators, prompted school systems across the state to cancel classes in anticipation of teacher absences.

Here are photos from the rally and march. Check back throughout the day for more images from the day’s events.

For live updates from the rally, see this story.

Sharie Taylor-Covington, a teacher at Zebulon Elementary School, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — Sharie Taylor-Covington, a teacher at Zebulon Elementary School, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

People cheer on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — People cheer on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Protesters march through downtown Raleigh during a May Day rally for teachers and education, Friday, May 1, 2026. — Protesters march through downtown Raleigh during a May Day rally for teachers and education, Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver,.com

Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. — Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Rapper Petey Pablo, poses for photographs with educators following his performance at the conclusion of the May Day demonstration on the Halifax Mall on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Rapper Petey Pablo, poses for photographs with educators following his performance at the conclusion of the May Day demonstration on the Halifax Mall on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

People cheer on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — People cheer on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Maddox Cobb, 7, of Raleigh listens to the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — Maddox Cobb, 7, of Raleigh listens to the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Natalee Fiery, a teacher at McDougle Elementary School in Carrboro, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — Natalee Fiery, a teacher at McDougle Elementary School in Carrboro, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

People watch from the bridge between the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the Nature Research Center as thousands march down N. Salisbury St. in downtown Raleigh during a rally and march to protest for more school funding Friday, May 1, 2026. — People watch from the bridge between the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the Nature Research Center as thousands march down N. Salisbury St. in downtown Raleigh during a rally and march to protest for more school funding Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Sharie Taylor-Covington, a teacher at Zebulon Elementary School, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. — Sharie Taylor-Covington, a teacher at Zebulon Elementary School, cheers on the speakers during a rally to protest for more school funding at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Friday, May 1, 2026. The North Carolina Association of Educators has mobilized teachers from across the state to march on the Legislative Building to demand higher pay, more school funding and higher taxes on corporations. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Thousands of educators and public education supporters demonstrate on Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Friday, May 1, 2026, calling for higher pay, increased school funding and higher taxes on corporations during a “Kids Over Corporations” rally and march at the North Carolina General Assembly organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators. At least 22 school districts canceled classes because many employees requested the day off. — Thousands of educators and public education supporters demonstrate on Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Friday, May 1, 2026, calling for higher pay, increased school funding and higher taxes on corporations during a “Kids Over Corporations” rally and march at the North Carolina General Assembly organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators. At least 22 school districts canceled classes because many employees requested the day off. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

Seven-year-old Ellery Irven-Moore, of Durham, joins thousands of demonstrators on the Halifax Mall for the May Day protest on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Seven-year-old Ellery Irven-Moore, of Durham, joins thousands of demonstrators on the Halifax Mall for the May Day protest on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Thousands of educators and public education supporters march along North Wilmington Street following a rally on Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Friday, May 1, 2026, calling for higher pay, increased school funding and higher taxes on corporations during a “Kids Over Corporations” rally and march at the North Carolina General Assembly organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators. At least 22 school districts canceled classes because many employees requested the day off. — Thousands of educators and public education supporters march along North Wilmington Street following a rally on Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Friday, May 1, 2026, calling for higher pay, increased school funding and higher taxes on corporations during a “Kids Over Corporations” rally and march at the North Carolina General Assembly organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators. At least 22 school districts canceled classes because many employees requested the day off. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

Demonstrators rally on the Halifax Mall for a May Day demonstration, before marching around the Capital, calling for higher teacher pay, and an end to corporate tax breaks and private school vouchers, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Demonstrators rally on the Halifax Mall for a May Day demonstration, before marching around the Capital, calling for higher teacher pay, and an end to corporate tax breaks and private school vouchers, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Katie Messmer, a special education teacher from Transylvania County, waits for the start the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Katie Messmer, a special education teacher from Transylvania County, waits for the start the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Sean Cacciabaudo and his daughter Mattea Cacciabaudo attend the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, calling for higher teacher pay, and an end to corporate tax breaks and private school vouchers, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Sean Cacciabaudo and his daughter Mattea Cacciabaudo attend the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, calling for higher teacher pay, and an end to corporate tax breaks and private school vouchers, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Protesters gather on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh before the teacher’s march in downtown, Friday, May 1, 2026. — Protesters gather on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh before the teacher’s march in downtown, Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Aaron Schmidt of Raleigh, N.C., shows his support for his wife, and fellow educators, during the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. — Aaron Schmidt of Raleigh, N.C., shows his support for his wife, and fellow educators, during the May Day protest on the Halifax Mall, on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Raleigh, NC. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026.

Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026.

Aaron Schmidt of Raleigh protests on Halifax Mall in Raleigh. His wife is a teacher in Wake County. — Aaron Schmidt of Raleigh protests on Halifax Mall in Raleigh. His wife is a teacher in Wake County. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. — Protesters gather on Halifax Mall for the May Day teacher’s march and protest in Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg art teacher Megan Hill displays her signs at the teacher’s march in Raleigh. — Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg art teacher Megan Hill displays her signs at the teacher’s march in Raleigh. Keung Hui khui@newsobserver.com

Teachers and supporters begin to gather for a march in downtown Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. — Teachers and supporters begin to gather for a march in downtown Raleigh, Friday, May 1, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Protesters gather on Halifax Mall before the teacher’s march in Raleigh. — Protesters gather on Halifax Mall before the teacher’s march in Raleigh. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Photos: NC teacher protest in Raleigh draws thousands for May Day rally."