Home

A federally-registered independent political party

Follow the CEC on Facebook Follow @cecaustralia on Twitter Follow the CEC on Google +


Follow the CEC on Soundcloud












Mass Strike Spreads to Campuses; Protests Against Budget Cuts Sweep Nation

March 6, 2010 (LPAC)—Millions of students, on over 100 campuses in at least 32 states, rallied and demonstrated on March 4 against budget cuts and privatization. Wire services report that the protests, called the "National Day of Action to Defend Public Education," took place in Alabama, California, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Maryland, New York, and other locations around the country. With the economic collapse causing plunging tax revenues and massive budget shortfalls, states are slashing funding to K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, and as a consequence, many colleges have canceled classes, furloughed instructors, and raised tuition.

Privatization is also a focus: A statement by one of the national organizers noted that "the public school system is being privatized through the widespread creation of charter schools, encouraged by President Obama's 'Race to the Top program."

The largest protests took place in California, where Associated Press (AP) reported that "millions" of students were protesting education cuts. "There are student activists all over the country who are looking to California as something to emulate," said Doug Singsen, 32, a graduate student at the City University of New York who has helped organize events outside California. "We want this to be the beginning of a movement that gets stronger."

Some other reports, via AP:

* University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee police arrested at least 15 people protesting tuition hikes, after protesters tried to enter an administrative building to deliver petitions to the school chancellor.

* In Oakland, protesters clambered onto Interstate 880 near downtown Oakland. Police arrested more than 150 people who blocked the freeway after breaking off from a peaceful rally at Oakland City Hall.

* In Olympia, Wash., a group of about 75 protesters arrived at the state Capitol bearing a faux coffin emblazoned with the slogan "R.I.P. Education." They were ejected from the Senate gallery after interrupting a debate with a protest song that followed the tune of "Amazing Grace." ("I once could eat, but now I find, I can't afford the food...")

* At the University of Texas at Austin, about 100 students and staff rallied on campus to protest a 5.4% hike in tuition and fees. Protesters complained the quality of education was taking a back seat to the university's bottom line.


Citizens Electoral Council © 2016
Best viewed at 1024x768.
Please provide technical feedback to webadmin@cecaust.com.au
All electoral content is authorised by National Secretary, Craig Isherwood, 595 Sydney Rd, Coburg VIC 3058.