Open Mic and Rally Against Cuts To Education

On Wednesday, March 12th, the Global Studies Club at Berkeley City College held an open mic and rally against the proposed budget cuts to education. With over 100 students in attendance, students spoke out on the topic of "What my education means to me and if I were to lose it." One student said, "In a situation like this, it is impossible to be neutral. This affects us all." Another student said, "There is really no excuse why our education should have to be cut in California, which is the seventh largest economy in the world. I think we can beat back these cuts. It is really up to us whether or not these proposals go forward." Other students read their poetry of protest. A teacher addressed the issue of California's budget crisis, alleging that, "The banks that are responsible for the sub-prime loan scam are the ones to blame for the budget deficit. We should not pay for their crisis." Students and faculty were clad in t-shirts, made for the occasion and selling now for $5 with the message, "No cuts to education, education is a
right, not a privilege," and a fist holding a pencil.
Another rally is scheduled for April 30th from 12:00-1:00 in the Berkeley City College Auditorium in which politicians from Sacramento will be in attendance. Currently, students and faculty are circulating petitions and writing letters to their representatives. They are currently planning to march in Sacramento against the budget cuts at the beginning of the fall semester.
Sacramento's budget proposals will result in the elimination of 50,000 community college students, a raise in tuition, reduction of full time employees in favor of part time employees, cuts to financial aid, grants and scholarships. Find out more at http://www.calcuts.blogspot.com/ or contact globalstudiesclub [at] yahoo.com.