Hundreds of former Washington Post journalists, tech workers and supporters gathered outside the newspaper’s headquarters on Thursday to protest widespread layoffs announced earlier this week.
The rally followed a major restructuring that saw about one-third of the Post’s staff cut, affecting hundreds of employees across departments.
The demonstration was organised by the Post News Guild and the Post Tech Guild, unions representing editorial and technical staff, who said the layoffs have significantly weakened the newspaper’s ability to cover local, national and international news.
At the rally, former journalists shared their reactions to losing their jobs and criticised how the cuts were implemented.
Some speakers said employees were locked out of the office and computer systems immediately, preventing them from finishing work they were already doing.
Attendees expressed concern about the loss of key newspaper sections, including the sports department, and the potential long-term effects on news coverage.
Former sports reporter Molly Hensley-Clancy called the elimination of the sports desk “heartbreaking,” highlighting the role of sports journalism in national news.
Another rally speaker, former enterprise reporter Marissa J. Lang, said the layoffs will have broader consequences beyond individual job losses, warning that the cutbacks will reduce the Post’s capacity to hold those in power accountable.
Supporters who were not directly affected by the layoffs also joined the protest, including long-time Washington Post staff who came to show solidarity.
The Washington Post announced the layoffs earlier this week as part of a major restructuring effort.
According to reports, roughly one-third of the newspaper’s workforce, including many journalists, were laid off as part of changes meant to refocus the organisation on core news areas.
In addition to cutting newsroom roles, the Post eliminated entire sections such as sports and books and scaled back coverage in several other areas.
The moves have drawn criticism from media observers and former staff who say the changes could weaken the paper’s role in American journalism.
Rally organisers and union leaders have called for increased support for independent journalism and urged the Post’s leadership to reconsider decisions that they say undermine the newspaper’s mission.
Supporters at the event carried signs reading messages like “Save the Post” and “Free Press.”
As the Washington Post continues its restructuring, the impact of the layoffs and public response at Thursday’s rally highlight ongoing concerns about the future of news coverage at one of the United States’ most influential newspapers.
