LOS ANGELES — Community college students say they won’t give up protesting proposed state budget cuts.
Determined to win the fight against cuts in classes and higher registration fees, thousands gathered March 29 in Pershing Square and marched past the state office building on Spring Street.
The rally was the second time that students have gathered to protest Gov. Gray Davis’ proposed state budget cuts.
“I feel that he hears us, I don’t feel he’s listening yet,” said Trikana Johnson from Compton Community College.
“For him to truly listen, there will have to be a few more protests like this.? We will continue to write, we will continue to call, we will continue to protest, we will continue to let our voices be heard,” he said.
He promised that protests against the budget cuts will last as long as they need to. Another rally is scheduled to be held on the steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Johnson said the cuts are affecting him.
“It’s affecting me, I come from a low income family and I need services like extended opportunity programs.”
He said his opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious schools, Harvard, will be in jeopardy because of the budget cuts.
“With these heightened fees, I wouldn’t be able to afford going to school and get my scholarship to Harvard.”
Arcenio Rodriguez, also attending community college as an administration of justice major, said the increased registration fees will affect his pocketbook.
“I pay my own books, I pay my own tuition,” he said.?”We can’t tolerate this.”
Holly Mota, who teaches early education, said she opposes the planned cuts for childhood education.
Mota also said that the price per unit, which was proposed at $24, may now go up to $26, a 110 percent increase from the $11 per unit students pay now.
“That’s too much!” she said.
She maintained that the governor should listen to students.
“He better be listening, because I voted for him.?If I could vote to get him out I would do that. We’re hoping to keep fighting and he better hear us,” she said.