A Missed Day of Action 
By Peter SchragIf last week’s demonstrations protesting funding cuts to California schools and colleges were aimed at getting media attention, they succeeded magnificently. Given the low number of demonstrators, they got a lot more ink than the turnout was worth.
But if they were designed to generate any real political action they got almost nothing. To their credit, the protests were for the most part both civil and directed at the politicians who were responsible for the cuts rather than the university presidents and chancellors charged with inflicting the pain.
From Anger to Action
By Robert CruickshankLast Thursday’s outpouring of protest against the deliberate decision to destroy California's public education system was characterized by one dominant emotion: anger. And that was exactly as it should be. If you're not angry at the collapse of our schools, colleges, and universities, and the stealing of an entire generation's future, then you're really not paying any attention.
I spent the day at Cal State Monterey Bay, hearing student after student take the microphone to express their anger at what has happened to their dreams. This was not a violent anger, but instead the kind of deeply rooted anger that anyone would quite rightly feel when they have been betrayed. The state of California has betrayed these students, having asked them to work hard to succeed in school and promising an affordable quality education, only to yank that promise away from them in order to deliver tax cuts to huge corporations.
March for California's Future Will Test State's Commitment to Fairness & Equality
By Willie PeloteAFSCME
A diverse group of Californians acted on the courage of their convictions on Friday, March 5, 2010, by embarking on a 260-mile March for California’s Future in order to highlight the need for quality public services and education in the Golden State.
The marchers hail from both Northern and Southern California and include a Los Angeles probation officer, a San Diego community college professor, a teacher and community organizer from Watsonville, a retired Berkeley adult educator, and two L.A. teachers.
“California has always been seen as a place where anything was possible, if you worked hard enough. Unfortunately, equality of opportunity in the Golden State has diminished,” said probation officer Irene Gonzalez, “and if the budget cuts being contemplated at the state level are allowed to happen, the California dream will vanish for generations of Californians. That’s why I’m marching.”
