Some 5,000 teachers rallied at downtown's Pershing Square on Friday, joining thousands of colleagues from across California in a day of massive protests against state budget cuts to education.

From San Diego to the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento, the day's multiple rallies culminated a week of demonstrations organized by the California Teachers Association to draw attention to some $12 billion in potential cuts that could be looming for education.

"It's time for Sacramento to put their money where their mouth is," said Theresa Montano, a CTA board member and professor at California State University, Northridge.

"It's disgusting that every year we have to beg for money to fund society's most basic necessities."

Students, parents, the mascot and teachers rally at Plummer Street Elementary School to protest state budget cuts. At this North Hills campus, which has turned itself around academically over the last decade, 40 percent of teachers have received layoff notices. (David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News)

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to release his May revision budget plan on Monday, including details on how the state can close a $15 billion deficit. Teachers are hoping to pressure Republican lawmakers into supporting the governor's plan for extending a series of temporary increases in the sales, vehicle and income taxes that expire this year.