Save Our Services Day of Action, San Francisco
Start: Wednesday, February 19, 2025•05:30 PM
On February 19th, federal workers and everyday Americans are coming together to say NO to Elon Musk’s push to gut federal services and impose mass layoffs.
Our demands:
NO cuts to vital services
NO mass layoffs: respect union workers’ contracts
END the funding freeze
Join federal workers, unions, and community members rallying for a Save Our Services day of action!
Where: Tesla Dealership, 999 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: 5:30pm, Wednesday, Feb 19th
Wear red, white, and/or blue.
For federal workers, bring signs about how your work benefits the public. For supporters, bring signs about how you or your community benefits from federal services.
These are family-friendly events. All are welcome.
FAQ
“What are my rights as a federal employee to attend pickets/rallies/protests?"
The First Amendment to our Constitution guarantees that everyone may peaceably assemble and “petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Federal employees have just as much right as other Americans to exercise that right to join in these protests and rallies, to donate to political and charitable causes, and to share opinions on their personal social media accounts.
However, the Hatch Act, which was enacted to insulate the civil service from partisan politics, places some limits on the political speech of federal employees. Here’s what feds need to know.
Can I join a protest/rally/picket in person?
Yes. As long as you are off duty and not in a uniform or wearing insignia that makes it appear that you are participating in an official government capacity, you are allowed to participate in peaceful demonstrations.
Can I donate money?
Yes. Federal employees are allowed to make charitable donations and political contributions outside of work hours. Use your personal contact information, not your government email address or telephone number, when making these contributions.
Can I ask other people to donate money?
Federal employees may not solicit political contributions from others. If you are raising money for a cause, make sure it is not associated with a partisan candidate or political party before asking others to donate. If you are unsure whether a particular organization is acceptable or not, check with your Ethics Officer or the Office of Special Counsel.
Can I post my opinions on current events to social media or write a letter to the editor?
Yes. In the 1968 case Pickering v. Board of Education, a school board fired a teacher after he wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the board’s allocation of funding. The Supreme Court held that a public employer cannot fire an employee for speaking on matters of public importance, absent proof that the employee knowingly or recklessly made false statements.
The critical issue is “matter of public importance”; courts have repeatedly held that federal and other public employees are protected only if their speech is about such issues. (Expressing your view that billionaires is likely protected by the First Amendment; informing your supervisor that he has personality defects is not.)
The Office of Special Counsel provides similar guidance on federal employees’ speech rights on social media.
Federal employees may "like," "share," "tweet," or "retweet" their opinions on current events and partisan political activity as long as: they do not do so while in the workplace or on duty; they do not refer to their title or position in the government while doing so; and they are not soliciting political contributions.
What are my collective action rights as a federal employee who is a member of a bargaining unit/represented by a union?
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