Capitol Sees Huge Protest on March 22

SAC STATE STAND UP!

Today, according to a CHP estimate, over 3,000 people marched from Raley Field to the Capitol. This isn't counting those who came directly to the Capitol, like Sac State Coalition members who marched from campus all the way to the protest. Marchers made noise during the whole trek, attracting the attention of local businesses and schools that were along the way.

Marchers were greeted at the Capitol by other protestors. There was no end to the arrival of students. Some came all the way from San Diego to take part in what has turned out to be one of the largest protests for higher ed of all time!

Speakers included Sac State student, SSC member, and community leader Yeimi Lopez, who told her story of higher education. Like many others, her story includes financial hardship and hard decisions that can even come down to whether to buy groceries or books. We came to the Capitol with righteous anger, but also with solutions. Students wrote and signed petitions and letters. We also took the initiative to lobby legislators after the protest, explaining their cases and drawing attention to possible solutions like AB656, which would tax oil companies.

Legislators got the message that education should not be for sale. Students are being priced out of the American Dream, and one of the main themes at the rally was the growing divide between the elite and those who can't afford education. As prices skyrocket, the gap between the rich and the poor can only grow as qualified low income students are being told they are not wanted if they can't pay for 4-year, and, increasingly, even 2-year schools. Students who have every chance of success in higher ed are being turned away so that those remaining can fight over the few class sections left.

Students also told legislators what to expect if they couldn't be bothered to stand up for students. Legislators can't afford to lose the support of the 3.5 million students in California.

Our work is far from done; we must continue to demonstrate proactive political involvement. SSC will continue to support making change, including lobbying legislators and rallying students to stand up for their rights.

This means YOU--where you at the Capitol? What are you going to do in the near and distant future for student rights? NOW is the time to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!