Overview

• State Sens. John Liu and Shelley Mayer asked the state Education Department and SUNY to investigate potential coercion and misuse of public funds tied to Thursday’s charter rally.
• Education officials said they conferred with SUNY about reports of required attendance and the event’s political intent, with possible funding clawbacks requested if violations are found.
• Success Academy canceled classes for the event, and a Gothamist recording captured founder Eva Moskowitz telling staff that advocacy is part of their job, prompting pressure allegations that the network disputes.
• Organizers estimated more than 15,000 supporters from over 200 charter schools gathered at Cadman Plaza and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, with rapper Common performing and Curtis Sliwa attending despite organizers discouraging candidates.
• New York City has roughly 286 charter schools serving about 150,000 students under a state cap on new charters, and Mamdani has criticized expansion and proposed audits of charter finances.