Saturday, December 14, 2019 • 9:00am ET

David L. Lawrence Convention Center • Pittsburgh, PA • Streaming Online

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The Schott Foundation and eleven other public education groups, including community groups, education unions, and civil rights organizations, hosted top Democratic presidential candidates at the “Public Education Forum 2020: Equity and Justice for All” on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. MSNBC moderated and livestreamed the forum focused on public education issues.

Seven major Democratic candidates participated: Sen. Michael Bennet, Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Topics included school investment, student services, special education, student debt and teaching conditions, as well as key education equity and justice issues facing America’s students and public schools.

Former Vice President Joe Biden Former Vice President Joe Biden Sen. Bernie Sanders Sen. Bernie Sanders Sen. Michael Bennet Sen. Michael Bennet Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg Sen. Amy Klobuchar Sen. Amy Klobuchar Tom Steyer Tom Steyer Sen. Elizabeth Warren Sen. Elizabeth Warren

The forum welcomed more than 1,000 educators, students, parents and community members to a discussion with the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates about their plans for K-12 and higher education. Each candidate provided opening remarks and answered questions from moderators, forum attendees and others from across the country who submitted questions.

Setting the Stage

At the start of the day, speakers rallied the audience and reminded us all what we're fighting for. Opening speakers included:

The opening panel laid the groundwork of what advocates were looking to hear from the candidates. The discussion featured AFT President Randi Weingarten, NEA President Lily Eskelsen García, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and Journey for Justice Alliance National Director Jitu Brown.

Opening Speakers Opening Speakers Opening Panel Discussion Opening Panel Discussion

Highlights from the opening events:

Schott Foundation President & CEO John H. Jackson spoke of the need to move from a democracy to a "justocracy." Schott Foundation President & CEO John H. Jackson spoke of the need to move from a democracy to a "justocracy." National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance Jitu Brown spoke about the nationwide grassroots fight against school privatization and the need for a positive vision of public education. National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance Jitu Brown spoke about the nationwide grassroots fight against school privatization and the need for a positive vision of public education. One PA's Western PA Organizing Director Angel Gober spoke about the victories and challenges in Pittsburgh and introduced newly-elected Philadelphia City Councilor Kendra Brooks. One PA's Western PA Organizing Director Angel Gober spoke about the victories and challenges in Pittsburgh and introduced newly-elected Philadelphia City Councilor Kendra Brooks. National Co-Director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) Keron Blair outlined a broad agenda for police-free, safe, supported, creative and community-centered schools for all. National Co-Director of the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) Keron Blair outlined a broad agenda for police-free, safe, supported, creative and community-centered schools for all.

Key Questions

Grassroots advocates were pivotal in the behind-the-scenes organizing behind the event, but they also spent time in front of the camera at the forum, asking important questions of the candidates.

Watch the full forum

Forum sponsors include:

Per MSNBC's agreement, all presidential candidates who either previously qualified for the October debate or currently hold statewide office were invited to attend.