KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Fresno State Students Protest

Fresno State Students Protest

 By: Rich Rodriguez

The day was billed as a "call to action."  Students and educators marched into the spotlight to address what's wrong with education in California.  Fresno state students sounded off at Shaw and Blackstone during the Thursday morning commute.

They're angry about crowded classrooms, teacher furloughs, and rising tuition.  Fresno State student Caitlin Sowadski said. "I'm working to pay for school.   It started at 1600 and now it's at 2300.   It's gonna get more expensive."

Students say the opportunity to get a college degree has narrowed due to a reduction of class offerings and shrinking admissions. Thursday morning's protest didn't end in the heart of Fresno.

It was just getting started as marchers joined forces with fellow students at Fresno State.  A crowd estimated at 500 brought back memories of the civil rights movement of the 1960's.

Fresno State student Jamie San Andres said, "the poverties and injustices I've come to know throughout my life are a reflection of the poverty of the masses in a capitalistic society.   And I'm sick.   I'm fed up with the system.   Cheers!

English professor Lisa Weston took part in the protest because she's on furlough today. Weston said, "teaching also becomes far more difficult when my students are now taking three jobs maybe instead of two to pay their fees.   They come tired.   They come unable to concentrate.

Students, teachers and administrators agree state lawmakers have to reassess their priorities and move education to the top of the list.