More than a thousand community members and students from all Arizona universities packed Wesley Bolin Memorial Park outside the state capitol building Wednesday to protest budget proposals in the Legislature that could strip up to 40 percent of the university system’s budget next year.
Wearing black clothes and carrying signs reading “40% = Death” and “Don’t Abandon Us,” students rallied for several hours to oppose budget cuts that could be approved by legislative committees Thursday.
ASU secondary education junior Kelly Swenson said she felt she had to protest to make sure legislators hear students, and added that legislators were not representing their constituents.
“Education is the basis of future and of change,” she said. “It’s frustrating that I feel like we don’t have a say in this.”
She said decisions to make such drastic cuts should include a strong student voice, but one protest probably won’t be enough to effect change.
“I expected more people, but I think there’s a really big group, and there’s a really good energy,” she said. “I’m pleased with it. It’s still a good turnout.”
Several state representatives who oppose the budget cuts appeared at the protest to speak to students as well.
Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, said any budget cuts are unacceptable because it will damage Arizona’s competitiveness in education.
“For students to allow even $100 million cut is ridiculous,” he said.
Reach the reporter at adam.sneed@asu.edu
