Students and faculty gathered around the Bell Tower last Wednesday to protest the recent 32 percent fee hike.
Led by members of UCR's Social Justice Alliance, the protestors circled the Bell Tower and weaved through the HUB pavilion carrying signs proclaiming "Invest in the future," "32% WTF," "Free the UC" and "CA #1 Economy, #48 Education."
An officer for the Social Justice Aliance and a leader of the protest, Eddie Valencia, described the goal of the day's action: "We're marching to raise awareness about the status of education in California."
Kimberly Hutter, a first-year unaffiliated with the SJA, protested for different reason.
"I'm protesting because I am in support of lower education fees, but mainly I'm just trying to find out more about the situation," said Hutter.
The first few minutes of the protest were silent, as the students and faculty involved showed respect for the Ash Wednesday ceremony also taking place at the Bell Tower.
However, once the area cleared the protesters began to chant: "What do we want? Education! When do we want it? Now!"
The protestors had done more than organize the afternoon's march.
Jorge Serrato, another member of SJA and leader of the protest, had met with visiting Regent Charlene Zettel to ask