I think the students' demo against fee increases was the largest protest at the state Capitol since the anti-war rallies last spring.
Seth Sandronsky
Community college students march to protest planned fee hikes By Lesli A. Maxwell -- Bee Staff Writer Published 3:46 p.m. PST Monday, March 15, 2004 Get weekday updates of Sacramento Bee headlines and breaking news. Sign up here.
Community college students from across California marched by the thousands to the state Capitol on Monday to denounce Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- the most celebrated alumni of the state's two-year schools -- and his bid to raise their fees. Students decked out in anti-Arnold T-shirts and toting signs staged a boisterous two-mile march from Raley Field in West Sacramento to the west steps of the Capitol, and rallied for more than two hours in the midday sun. They were undeterred in their noisy cries for Schwarzenegger to come address the crowd, despite knowing the celebrity governor was conducting business in Los Angeles and would not see them. "It feels like betrayal by one of our own," said Patrick Tuminaro, a 26-year-old student at Antelope Valley College who voted for Schwarzenegger and worked on his campaign to oust Gray Davis. "He should understand that the average community college student is struggling to pay the fees now. "Many of us voted for him, but we are not happy with him now." Schwarzenegger, an immigrant from Austria, attended Santa Monica College and often credits his education there as crucial to his success as a bodybuilder, movie star and politician. The governor -- who must solve California's continuing budget crisis -- is asking lawmakers to raise fees for community colleges to $26 per unit from $18, a 44 percent increase.
full: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/8529091p-9457792c.html
Seth Sandronsky
_________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/
