<br /> <p>Thousands of teachers flooded the West Virginia state capitol on Friday, February 23, for the second day of a two-day work stoppage over pay and benefits that closed all of the state’s public schools. They held signs and sang in protest.</p><p>Before the walkout, the West Virginia attorney general’s office said that the strike was illegal and teachers who participate could be punished, up to and including termination.</p><p>“There’s rumor out there that anybody who takes this action is going to be fired,” West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee told the Gazette-Mail</a>. “That’s not a major concern of mine, we have 727 vacancies right now.”</p><p>Lee’s comment prompted some teachers to carry signs saying “727 and counting.” Credit: Rhone Michael Thomas via Storyful</p><br />
