Education Cuts Draw Local Protest
Protest from educational communities in Berkeley and the larger Bay Area is picking up in response to the severe cuts to the state’s educational system expected in the coming months. People involved in various levels of public education are working to oppose the cuts through protest and awareness-building, as well as the organization of larger events. Many of these groups will join together on March 4 to participate in a Statewide Day of Action in Defense of Public Education, culminating in a 5 PM rally at the Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco.
A large number of students, staff, workers, and citizens have become active in the fight for more funds for education in California. “There is a lot of interest,” said Kip Waldo, a teacher at Chabot College in Hayward who is involved with the issue. “People understand what this is about.”
At state and community colleges, student protest has taken many forms. At UC Berkeley, students and staff have continued to protest. Teach–ins have been used as a tool to raise awareness of the budget crisis, and at one point, students staged an occupation of Wheeler Hall.
At many post–secondary institutions, “speak-outs” have been held addressing the education budget, in which students voice opposition to cuts that have already been made and to those that are expected in the coming year. These events often incorporate music, spoken word, and statements by students about how lack of funds for the education system affects them personally. Dialogue about the budget crisis is continuing to take place between peers and in classrooms.
“We’ve been having great discussions about education, and the state of education today,” said Aprill Miller, a student at Berkeley City College (BCC). “We’re questioning what’s going on in our society right now, and talking about if we think it’s okay – and of course, most of us don’t think it’s okay.”
The Berkeley Federation of Teachers (BFT) is taking action against the cuts as well. Like students and employees in other areas, Berkeley’s public school teachers will be passing out leaflets about the Day of Action before and on the morning of March 4.
“Communities all across the state are doing things,” said Cathy Campbell, BFT President. In addition to passing out information, BFT members and others opposed to the cuts will hold a demonstration along Martin Luther King Way after school lets out.
“It would be a great thing for students to participate in,” said Campbell. “There will be teachers, classified employees ... We’re going to try to raise awareness and educate people to call their legislature.”
At 5 PM that afternoon, large numbers of protesters will travel to San Francisco for the Civic Center rally. Protesters will be speaking out collectively about the various of the issues caused by the cuts, including overcrowding, increased class size, increased tuition, and loss of educational services and programs in California schools.
“We’re getting really good responses back from [BCC] students about the rally,” said Miller, who has been distributing flyers and talking to people about the issues in recent weeks along with other BCC students. Miller stated that most BCC students were aware of the rally, and many plan to attend. At Chabot College, buses are reserved to transport 150 students and staff, though more may find their own transportation.
According to Waldo, organizing different groups against cuts to education and motivating people to act is important, though it can be difficult. “It seems like people are paralyzed. They don’t see what can be done,” he said. “The biggest obstacle is that people hope doing one thing will make the difference, when opposition needs to be ongoing.”
Some objectors point to Oregon, which recently passed legislation increasing taxes on business and the wealthy, as a positive alternative to the education cuts being suggested in Sacramento.
“[The state] is not taxing at the level that is required to provide for all citizens and for the future. We need new, progressive taxes,” said Campbell.
Comments
Post new comment