A look at April 18

Last Friday, thousands of students throughout California took action against more than $5 billion in proposed budget cuts. From sit-ins to walkouts to rallies and teach-ins, student actions were creatively diverse, yet focused on stopping these potentially disastrous cuts.

Forty schools participated in the Day of Action from as far north as Humboldt County and as far south as San Diego. Nearly 1,000 students signed up on the Right To Learn Web site and an estimated 2,500 other students joined in on April 18.

Here’s a quick look at some of the actions held by students throughout the state:

	Cerritos High (Cerritos) Students at Cerritos High integrated Right To Learn budget advocacy into their spirit week, on Nerd Dress Up Day, informing students about the budget cuts and encouraging them to get involved in the campaign.

Galileo High & O’Connell High (San Francisco) These two schools led a march of more than 500 students from Galileo’s campus to City Hall downtown. Led by the marching band, students passed out fliers with facts about the budget to shopkeepers and the public. At City Hall, a variety of students read speeches and performed poetry and music.

	Grove High (Redlands) Letter writing to the Governor and members of the California Legislators was the order of the day at this charter school in Redlands. Students then organized a school photo–with everyone wearing red– to send with their letters.

New Technology High (Napa) Even though there was no school on April 18 for this group, students gathered in downtown Napa to spread the word about the budget cuts and rally their community.

	Oak Ridge High (El Dorado Hills) Although it wasn’t on school campus, about 30 students from Oak Ridge High School showed up at the Capitol in Sacramento with signs to help demonstrate the need for a better education on April 18.

San Diego SCPA (San Diego) More than 100 students held a sit-in outside their school at lunch-time at this sunny San Diego school.

	Scripps Ranch High (El Dorado Hills) These students set up a table at lunch where students could learn more about the budget cuts, sign up for a budget advocacy club, and sign a petition protesting the cuts.

Thurgood Marshall Academic High (San Francisco) Students held a unity rally with other youth organizations focused on building relationships among their school community through activities such as Right To Learn.

	Ventura Community (Buena Vista High School) Students, state and local politicians, and educators spoke to more than 500 people who attended this community-wide rally.

A special group of little activists… While most Right To Learn actions took place at high schools, one kindergarten class took it upon themselves to participate. After discussing the important services that governmental money is needed to support, each student chose their favorite thing about school–teachers, books, the library, science supplies, etc.–and made signs or hats with drawings of that favorite thing.

If you want to learn more about Right To Learn, check out this list of newspaper stories and television reports about the Day of Action.

Congratulations to all of those who participated in this historic and awe-inspiring day.

There’s a lot more in store for Right To Learn and the fight against these cuts will continue into the fall, so stay tuned!

Tags: April 18, budget, Day of Action, protest, students