By Kas Schwerdtfeger, with additions from the News Bulletin WG.
SDSers from around the country are gearing up for March 4th, and more events are being organized every day! What follows are some of the actions planned by chapters around the country. Is your chapter’s activity not listed here yet? Let us know what you are doing!
Los Angeles, California — At UCLA, SDS is organizing in the state-wide movement for education rights. A walkout is planned for 11:30 in the morning. In the afternoon, a rally will be held on campus, which will include the participation of labor and students from the K-12 sector.
Twin Cities, Minnesota — At UMN, there will be a noon-time march and rally. Protesters are demanding pay-cuts for top administrators instead of balancing the budget on the backs of students and staff. They are also demanding that students have a voice and a vote in university governance as well as free and open discussion of campus issues without administration interference.
College Park, Maryland — A rally is planned over the firing of assistant provost Cordell Black. Black had worked there there for 18 years and was responsible for getting the cultural studies program running. His removal, and the cutting of the programs has had a large effect on students of all backgrounds.
Rochester, New York — A march on city hall is planned to protest Mayoral control/takeover of school board. Many in Rochester are worried that it will lead to further privatization of the school system. Local unions, including local police union, are involved. Hundreds are expected in attendance.
Syracuse, New York — A sit-in is being organized, as well as a petition for a tuition lock. If there is snow, plans are in the works to build a snowmen army to stare down the chancellor’s office.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin — A rally at UW-Milwaukee’s student union is being held. Demands include transparency and democratic controls of future budgetary decisions, and calls for a tuition freeze statewide. Professors, Graduate Students, and campus workers are involved.
Chicago, Illinois — A citywide march on UIC’s Chancellor’s mansion will be held. Students from across the city will be organizing from different locations and converging on it. Professors are also involved.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama — Ongoing actions supporting the “Crimson Ride” shuttle bus drivers are occurring. SDSers are active in helping them fight for livable wages and continued union representation on their campus.
Gainesville, Florida — Plans to pamphlet and flyer the local campus are being made to further educate about the crisis of education across the country.
Olympia, Washington — A funeral procession for Accessible Education is being planned concurrently with other community events. It will move down to the state capitol building and a demonstration will be held there.
chapel hill sds is planning a week of action to defend education including a theatrical performances about student debt and budget cuts, a teach-in about March 4th nationally and the struggle to defend education, as well as a dance-infused march and rally on March 4th with a symbolic sit-in at the administration building.
Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI. Rally and march at State Capitol Building in Lansing, 11:00AM. Working with MSU Undergraduate Alliance on banner drops (and etc.).