March 4 Day of Action- WATSONVILLE!!!!

This is a call for a Watsonville Day of Action for Education on March 4, 2010!

On March 4, 2010 the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, Viernes Cultural, Parents, Students, and Community Partners will be holding a Rally and Education Symposium to support Public Education and bring the community together to call for, “NO MORE CUTS TO EDUCATION!”

The events begin on the Main Plaza in Watsonville at 3:00 including a rally and music by La Sangre. Art Display by Josefina Estrada, and Art Activities for Children by Mariposas Art

The Educational Symposium will be in the Watsonville Cabrillo College Forum room from 4:30-5:30. This symposium will feature John Silver, Filmmaker and Video Director for the New Teacher Project. John will do a presentation about the importance of Watsonville in Labor History. He will show film clips and host a discussion.

PVUSD School Trustee veteran Sandra Nichols will discuss the power and responsibilities of local School Boards in the budget crisis and beyond.

Jenn Laskin, of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers will speak about the most effective solution to the budget crisis, to change the 2/3 majority required for CA to pass a budget. This is a ballot proposition currently gathering signatures.

Teacher, Bob Gomez will perform original folk songs and Armando Gary Vasquez-Green, a first grader at Alianza Charter School will read his winning essay from the CABE (California Association for Bilingual Education) essay contest.

This National Day of Action has substantial support from CSU, community college, and K-12 educators as well as other UC employee unions.

The purpose of the day is to broaden the impact of March 4 beyond educational institutions to other public and private sector workplaces, and to build public awareness of the damage being wreaked by state budget cuts on the quality of life for all Californians.

The Day of Action emphasize three themes:
• To restore the promise of public education;
• To rebuild a government and economy that works for all the people; and
• To enact fair taxes to fund California's future.

The Day of Action will take place one day prior to the kickoff of a "March for California's Future," which will move from Bakersfield to Sacramento over the course of forty eight days, ending with a major rally in the Capitol.

SPECIFIC ISSUES INCLUDE…

• No More Fee Hikes! No Program, Faculty or Staff Cuts in Higher Education!
• Call For a Massive Increase in Federal Funding for Public Higher Education!
• Defend Public Education from K thru 12!
• Pass the DREAM Act Now! Create Campus-Based DREAM Scholarships to Provide Financial Aid for Undocumented Students!
• Restore Affirmative Action Now! No More Separate and Unequal!
• No More Second-Class Treatment of Latina/o Students, Students With and Without Papers!
• Build the New Civil Rights and Student Movement!