Schwarzenegger Runs into Fresno Protest

Schwarzenegger Runs into Fresno Protest
By Mike Rhodes
March 23, 2005

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger came to Fresno today where he was greeted by about 200 protestors. Nurses, teachers, and their allies led the protest which focused on several issues, including the Governors attempts to reduce home care workers income. His proposal for home care workers, who are represented by the Service Employee International Union-UHW, would reduce their pay to minimum wage and take away their health benefits.

In addition to SEIU-UHW, other unions at today’s protest included the California Nurses Association, Fresno Teachers Association, California State Employees Association, and the California Teachers Association. Representatives from numerous progressive community groups joined nurses, teachers, and home care workers to protest the Governor’s attacks on pensions for public employees, wages for low income workers, and the proposed increase in nurse patient ratios.

Community/grassroots journalist Nicholas DeGraff attempted to cover the Schwarzenegger press conference. He was thrown out because the Governor’s representatives would not accept his press credentials. DeGraff is a reporter for Indymedia and the Community Alliance newspaper.