MJC takes on the capitol

     Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’’ The group of students who marched on March 22 in protest of the state’s education budget cuts was anything but small. An estimated 3,000 students gathered on Monday to protest California’s $20 billion budget deficit. The march began at Raley Field and continued across the Tower Bridge over the Sacramento River to the Capitol Mall. Modesto Junior College students left for the protest at 8 a.m. and arrived in Sacramento around 10 a.m. joining faculty and students from other community colleges, the University of California campuses at Davis, Santa Cruz and Berkeley, and California State Universities in Sacramento, Chico, and elsewhere. The rally at the Capitol was sponsored by student groups, including the California State Student Association. Students expressed their frustration over rising tuition, reductions in class offerings and campus layoffs in jeers of, “No cuts, no fees, education should be free,” and “They say cut back, we say fight back!”
     “I participated in the march because I value my education and I hate to see it be treated like a commodity instead of a right,” said MJC student Louise Kalilbarros.
     Students swarmed the capitol with  noticeable anger , holding up signs with messages like “Cut Loopholes not schools”, “We are students, not customers” and “A war budget leaves every student behind.” Every participant seemed to have their own reason for protesting, but each protester was bonded by one thing: the desire for a good education. Once students reached the steps of the Capitol they met with speakers such as Assemblyman majority leader Alberto Torricco, who urged the passionate protestors not to give up the fight against the constantly increasing budget cuts.
     “I’m angry; money keeps being taken from the wrong places.Without a good education where will we be? The fact is we are the future, and if these budget cuts don’t stop we won’t be an intelligent one,” said MJC student Antonio Martinez.
     Students kept up their chants and enthusiasm throughout the entire protest without once showing any sign of surrender. Millions of dollars continue to be taken out of the state’s higher education budget, which means that students’ voices urgently need to be heard.

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