Thousands of educators from across North Carolina rallied in Raleigh on May 16 to protest for improved teacher salaries and more education funding.

Schools across the state were closed Wednesday morning as thousands of teachers walked out to attend the rally, Today reported.

The protest was organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators, who said “North Carolina is one of the worst in the country in the amount our elected leaders spend per student, about $2,400 behind the national average.” Credit: Brian Powell via Storyful