With chants of "enough is enough," 600 people crammed the area in front of the monument to labor leader John Mitchell, spilling into one of the lanes of Adams Avenue, to decry cuts in education funding.

The "Kids, Cuts and Consequences" rally was organized by two labor unions: the American Federation of Teachers and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Members of the unions filled the crowd with blue and white shirts and signs.

"Are children worth the investment in education?" Regional PSEA president Glen Galante asked. "Are we willing to fight for fair and equitable funding?"

Members of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties' state Democratic delegation were on hand, joined by Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, of Mount Pocono.

Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, cited the state's constitution that calls for a "thorough and efficient system of public education." Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Nanticoke, said the fight is the battle for the future of Pennsylvania. Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-113, Scranton, said compromise in education is unacceptable.

Peter Strecker, a parent of students in Crestwood School District, noted how investment in education pays off. As he began to research his school district's budget, he noticed how the addition of full-day kindergarten resulted in significant improvements in standardized test scores later.

Shae West, a student at Pleasant Valley High School, was coloring a sign reading "Don't Cut Arts Class." Often, arts are the first classes to get cut, she said, yet it's a subject area where kids who struggle in other subjects often excel. Speakers at the rally cited schools in Shamokin that recently eliminated art, music and physical education classes.

Signs made by Occupy Scranton on discarded cardboard stood out in the crowd.

"We believe it's a moral imperative for society to provide basic needs such as education, housing and health care," said Michael Maholtz, a member of the Occupy Scranton group. "In our state, we have tax cuts, failure to close corporate loopholes, and a free ride for the gas industry while public education faces cuts."

Gov. Tom Corbett was the focus of many speakers' ire. The governor's spokesman, Tim Eller, said state funding for education has increased. The previous administration cut the state's contribution to education funding, he said, and used one-shot federal stimulus money to fill the gap.

"If local school districts and school boards focused the money they have on things that directly benefit students, then they will get through this," he said.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@ timesshamrock.com