Massive Protest Against Education Cuts at the State Capital
Thousands descend on the state capital in Sacramento to protest education budget cuts.
Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Marcos Perez | Valley Star
Students go marching on
Twenty-five Valley college students flew to Sacramento to participate with thousands in the March in March protest against education budget cuts on Monday.
The Associated Student Union and Political Action Committee organized the event and their main objective was to meet with legislators and share personal stories of how the budget cuts affect them directly.
“They cut back in bad times, but you don’t get it back in good times.” said Valley College philosophy professor, Zach Knorr, who helped organize the event.
The protest began in Raley Field, nestled amongst abandoned warehouses and train yards. Chartered buses, cabs, and airport shuttles emptied students and faculty onto the staging grounds at Lot B. Thousands of students awaited the march to commence, and when it did, a sea of people crashed out and flowed onto Ballpark Drive toward Capital Mall. Strategically placed police on horseback, bikes, and motorcycles along the mall dammed the protestors to the three right lanes, and were usually successful in their aim.
The march continued for about a mile and ended at the north steps of the state capital.
Several speakers took the stage over the next couple of hours; including students and faculty member like Pres. Reid Milburn of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, who was Master of Ceremonies.
“We’re tired of our fees being raised … our courses canceled!” Milburn passionately exclaimed to a cheering crowd. “How are we going to save our future if we can’t get into our classes?”