Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Student Debt Cancellation Rally Outside Supreme Court

people, woman, rally-2575608.jpg

Student loan debt cancellation was the center of a rally co-hosted by the NAACP and over 20 other organizations outside the Supreme Court. Over 100 protesters from around the country, including progressive lawmakers, gathered to urge the court to support President Biden’s up-to-$20,000 student debt cancellation plan. The rally aimed to shed light on the student debt crisis and the disproportionate impact on borrowers of color.

by: Maria Laus

Questions Answered in this Article

  1. What was the People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation, and who co-hosted the event?
  • The People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation was a protest gathering of more than 100 individuals urging the Supreme Court to support President Joe Biden’s up-to-$20,000 student debt cancellation plan. The rally was co-hosted by the NAACP, Student Borrower Protection Center, Young Invincibles, and over 20 other organizations.
  1. Who were some of the progressive lawmakers that spoke at the event?
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., were among the progressive lawmakers who spoke at the event.
  1. What is the current student debt situation in the United States?
  • According to the White House, over 45 million borrowers collectively owe $1.6 trillion of federal student loans.
  1. What was a recurring theme at the rally, and who did it disproportionately impact?
  • The disproportionate impact of student loan debt on borrowers of color was a recurring theme at the rally, with almost every speaker addressing the issue. Black and brown borrowers were put at higher risk due to systemic racism in the higher education system.
  1. What warnings do those at the rally have for future borrowers?
  • Shanna Hayes suggests that high school students should ask more questions about college funding and seek help from local nonprofits. Ashley Green advises future college students to carefully consider the loans they take out and explore alternatives if possible.

Over 100 Protesters Urge Supreme Court to Support Biden’s Plan

A lively and loud scene unfolded outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday as a formal debate on student debt cancellation occurred inside. The People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation, co-hosted by the NAACP, Student Borrower Protection Center, Young Invincibles, and over 20 other organizations, gathered around 100 protesters from around the country to urge the court to support President Joe Biden’s up-to-$20,000 student debt cancellation plan. The rally’s message was centered on the idea that student loan debt is a civil rights failure, and the Supreme Court has a legal and moral obligation to cancel it.

The event featured musicians, over 30 speakers, and nearly four hours of personal stories on how student debt impacts borrowers’ lives. Progressive lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., also spoke on the small stage facing out from the court’s marble steps.

Cedric Lawson, field director at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, led the crowd through call-and-response chants. Speakers encouraged protesters to chant loud enough for the justices to hear them inside. The rally said that education and college access are rights and that student debt cancellation is legal.

The deputy press secretary of the Debt Collective, Maddy Clifford, shared her personal experience of owing $120,000 in student loan debt, stating that it now feels like a badge of solidarity. The White House reports that over 45 million borrowers owe $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. The protesters urged the Supreme Court to hear their voices and take action on student debt cancellation.

Borrowers’ Stories Shed Light on Student Debt Crisis

Borrowers have shared their stories, shedding light on the student debt crisis. Many feel ashamed and embarrassed about their inability to pay off their student loans, which they say results from a system that set them up for failure and made them believe it was their fault.

Shanna Hayes, a first-generation college student from Washington, D.C., accumulated over $150,000 in student loan debt. Despite her job as a public school teacher paying only $29,000 a year, she was put on a plan that set her payments to $0 but continued to add interest and disqualified her from Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a federal program intended to forgive student debt for borrowers who spend a decade working in specific public service jobs.

Similarly, Ashley Green from St. Petersburg, Florida, took out $78,000 in federal student loans that have ballooned up to $112,000 over the past decade. Despite paying back about $58,000, she still owes about as much as she initially took out. Green, who has spent her career in nonprofit and service work, says that the education debt made it difficult for her to sustain herself.

Many borrowers have been made to feel alone in their struggles with student debt. However, Green says this is a problem with the higher education system’s structure.

Systemic Racism Blamed for Putting Black and Brown Borrowers at Higher Risk

The disproportionate impact of student loan debt on borrowers of color was a recurring theme at the rally, with almost every speaker addressing the issue. Representative Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., linked student debt to historical actions that have hindered the ability of Black Americans to accumulate wealth, including redlining and GI Bill refusal. She explained that Black Americans “borrow and default at higher rates” due to this history. Several rally speakers pointed out that over 80% of Black students borrow student loans to get through college, and almost half of all Black borrowers defaulted on their loans, according to federal data.

One protester held a sign that read, “72% of Latinos take out student loans,” a claim backed by the Student Borrower Protection Center. The Education Data Initiative, an independent team of researchers who analyze federal higher education data, found that Latino and Hispanic borrowers were more likely than any other group to postpone marriage and having children because of student debt.

For those who relied on student loans, their debt could determine their opportunities. Ashley Green, who has spent her career in nonprofit and service work, says that her education debt has caused her difficulty sustaining herself. “I thought a few loans here, and there would be something I could pay back over time,” she says. “They’ve shaped everything over the last decade — where I’ve lived, what I’ve been able to pursue.” Shanna Hayes, a first-generation college student who accumulated over $150,000 in student loan debt, feels a disconnect exists between those in power and those in debt. She believes lawmakers must consider the circumstances of those who take out student loans.

Warnings to Future Borrowers From Those Struggling with Student Debt

As they await a resolution to their student loan debt, those at the rally have a warning for future borrowers.

Hayes suggests that high school students should ask more questions about college funding and seek help from local nonprofits if they need someone at home to assist them. She regrets not being more informed and encourages others to learn from her experience.

Green advises future college students to consider the loans they take out carefully and explore possible alternatives. She regrets not considering community college as a first option and hopes others will learn from her mistake.

As the crowd chanted, their voices echoed off the marble facade of the Supreme Court building. Lawson asked, “Whose court?” The crowd responded, “OUR COURT.” Now, they wait to see if their message will be heard.

Summary

  • On Tuesday, the People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation was held outside the Supreme Court to support President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt.
  • Over 100 protesters from around the country attended the rally, which was co-hosted by over 20 organizations, including the NAACP and the Student Borrower Protection Center.
  • Progressive lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, spoke at the rally.
  • Many protesters shared personal stories of how student debt has impacted their lives, and the rally’s message was centered on the idea that student loan debt is a civil rights failure and should be cancelled.
  • Borrowers’ stories shed light on the student debt crisis, with many feeling ashamed and embarrassed about their inability to pay off their loans.
  • Systemic racism was blamed for putting Black and brown borrowers at higher risk, with Representative Ayanna Pressley linking student debt to historic actions that have hindered the ability of Black Americans to accumulate wealth.
  • The rally’s attendees had warnings for future borrowers, with one suggesting that high school students ask more questions about college funding and seek help from local nonprofits if they don’t have anyone at home to assist them.
  • The rally’s attendees are waiting to see if their message will be heard.
Don't miss out!

Sign up to our mailing list to get updates on new products and content as they arrive.