Marchers trek over 300 miles to protest school cuts
Karen Massie 
Last updated 6 hrs ago
Last updated 6 hrs ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - Marchers taking part in a statewide demonstration against education cuts arrived at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento Monday.
They began their trek March 5 in Bakersfield and held rallies along the way to the Sacramento.
The marchers admitted they were a bit tired but united in their message that state budget cuts have devastated California public schools and colleges.
Substitute teacher David Lyell was among six demonstrators who have been with the march the entire way. "It's been really painful seeing all my friends pretty much receive pink slips," he said. "They're living in a state of crisis; of not knowing if they're going to be fired."
San Diego Community College instructor Jim Miller said $840 million in state funding cuts since 2008 have shut thousands of students out of community colleges. "At my college in San Diego, we've got students banging on the door to get in and we don't have the space. We don't have the seats to offer them because of the budget cuts."
Students at Cosumnes River College where protestors held a rally said they have also felt the impact of budget cuts. "If I could march with them the whole way I would," said 18-year-old freshman Jacqueline Johnston. "I've been wait-listed for almost every class that I tried to enroll in. The appointment dates to get classes are sporadic. The teachers want to admit more students but they're just not able to."
Demonstrators said education cuts will make it tougher for students to graduate from high school. Irene Gonzalez, a Los Angeles County probation officer, said a good chunk of her caseload are high school
