Right to Education: University of California Student Walk-Out
As the state of California cuts funds in the face of the current economy and university regents meet to discuss drastic increases in student fees in the UC system, those most effected by these measures- the students themselves- are planning a walk-out today at 12:00pm. The students are exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in demanding that their right to affordable education be fulfilled. The students recognize the problem posed by the economy, but are criticizing the priorities the state and regents have made in making the students and lowest-paid workers in the university system pay for the deficit. Rights organizations such as the Student Labor Action Project have noted how the administration has tried to co-opt student mobilization by making these important budget decisions in the summer months. So far, fourteen students have been arrested in demonstrations earlier this week. How do tuition increases in public education system impact racial and economic diversity on campuses? Will actions such as these in California spread to other colleges and universities around the country facing similar challenges?
