An estimated 26,000 students, faculty and staff from all over California will march for education in Sacramento on March 5 and SRJC students can be a part of it.

Associated Students Vice President of Advocacy Michelle Dowling said, “Students and faculty from California community colleges, CSUs, and UCs will all be marching in solidarity to protest the severe budget cuts to higher education.” Students, parents, teachers and workers are encouraged to demand Wall Street and the 1 percent pay to re-fund education, jobs and essential services, Dowling said. Some SRJC teachers may allow students to make arrangements for missed class time if they attend the march.

Students and staff who want to participate can sign up in the Student Affairs Office. “The first 100 SRJC students who sign-up to attend will receive free bus transportation and a free meal,” Dowling said.

Dowling said students should want to attend because this is a major election year with several competing tax initiatives to be voted in by the people. If successful, the initiatives will bring millions of dollars back to schools.

“We need our state to reinvest in education and our people, and the time for action and advocacy is now,” Dowling said.

The mass march is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. followed by a rally at the Capitol building at 11 a.m. Lunch at the Capitol building will be at 12:30 p.m. and the general assembly and the non-violent direct action training to occupy the Capitol will be at 3:30 p.m.