Charter-education march across Brooklyn Bridge pushes to lift NYC cap

Thousands of parents, students and teachers marched across the Brooklyn Bridge on Thursday to press for lifting New York state's cap on charter schools in New York City, a move supporters say would expand options for families while opponents warn it could divert funding from traditional public schools.

The march began with a rally in Cadman Plaza, headlined by rapper Common, who performed his hit “Glory” as participants shouted, “Stop the no! Let charters grow!” The event, organized by a coalition of charter schools, drew thousands who carried shirts reading “Excellence is a civil right” and signs calling for expanded access to charter education. Organizers framed the protest as a response to what they argue is discriminatory policy that blocks equally capable students from receiving high-performing options.

New York City currently has 282 charter schools serving roughly 150,000 students, about one-sixth of the city’s public school enrollment. Supporters say the cap set by the state Legislature constrains opportunities, while critics contend charters drain funding and personnel from neighborhood traditional schools. The city’s political backdrop features the mayoral race, in which Zohran Mamdani has positioned himself as a foe of lifting the cap, while rival candidates have offered varying degrees of support.

The rally underscores the ongoing political dimension of the charter debate in Albany and City Hall. Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of the large Success Academy Charter Schools, refocused the conversation by arguing for parity in access to high-quality schooling. “All we want is what affluent parents get, we want the same choices, no matter what ZIP code we live in,” Moskowitz said. The event occurred as candidates and educators tied charter policy to broader questions of equity and school autonomy ahead of the mayoral vote.

Evidence cited by charter advocates points to performance gaps between charter and traditional public schools. Supporters argued that charter schools demonstrate improved outcomes in some cohorts and offer targeted supports, including accommodations for autism and smaller class sizes. A parent at Excellence Community Schools, Kristine Rivera, spoke of the educational gains and the personalized attention her child has received in a charter setting. “Charter schools need to be treated with respect like every other public school,” Rivera said, adding that the options helped her child pursue future goals in the arts.

The march comes as the city and state wrestle with how to fund and regulate charter schools within the broader public education system. Critics note that even with high-performing charters, the system faces complex funding formulas and capacity limits that extend beyond the number of schools opened. Supporters say the issue is less about funding per se and more about ensuring that students have access to high-quality options regardless of where they live.

In the lead-up to the event, candidates’ positions on charter expansion drew attention. Mamdani’s platform has included skepticism about lifting the cap, while opponents of his stance argued for expanding charter access as part of an equity agenda. By contrast, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who previously supported pro-charter laws, has publicly signaled backing for charters in the past, though he remains not a central figure in the current mayoral contest. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has stated support for charter schools, while Mayor Eric Adams faced criticism in 2023 for not taking a stronger position in Albany on the cap.

As participants crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, parents described a sense of urgency to secure more options for their children, many of whom require specialized services. The Day’s march highlighted a broader national conversation about balance between traditional district schools and independently managed public options. Advocates say the presence of charter schools improves overall competition and accountability, while opponents emphasize the need to protect traditional neighborhood schools from funding erosion and staffing shortages.

Looking ahead, supporters intend to continue pressuring lawmakers and mobilizing families as the election cycle unfolds. The Brooklyn march is one of several demonstrations across the city and state that underscore charter schools as a focal point in the education-policy debate. Whether the capital will lift the cap remains uncertain, but organizers say the movement has already reshaped discussions about school choice and student opportunity in New York City.