Activists to protest Trump's secretary of education nominee in Oakland

OAKLAND (BCN)

Education activists from across the Bay Area are scheduled to rally Tuesday in Oakland to oppose the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as the new U.S. Secretary of Education.

On Tuesday, DeVos is up for a vote by the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. On the same day, teachers, students and parents will gather at the Oakland Federal Building plaza at 1301 Clay St. at noon to protest the vote.

During her confirmation hearing in Washington D.C. last week, DeVos faced intense scrutiny and questioning from members of Congress, including Vermont Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Organizers of Tuesday's rally said they believed DeVos' performance during her confirmation hearing revealed her lack of knowledge about public education. They also said that DeVos, a billionaire businesswoman from Michigan, has many conflicts of interest that should disqualify her from consideration for the position.

Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump's pick for Education Secretary, arrives at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 17, 2017. DeVos is a strong supporter of using biofeedback technology to help children and teenagers enhance their performance in school. (Al Drago/The New York Times) less Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump's pick for Education Secretary, arrives at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 17, ... more Photo: AL DRAGO, NYT Photo: AL DRAGO, NYT Image 1 of / 22 Caption Close Activists to protest Trump's secretary of education nominee in Oakland 1 / 22 Back to Gallery

Tuesday's rally is part of a series of actions taking place across the country to protest President Trump's cabinet nominations. The event is being organized by the group Bay Resistance, a network of activist groups.