ARE Will Continue to Demand Full Funding for Education

Parents, Teachers and Students to Rally in Front of Governors Office in Los Angeles

WHO:             Association of Raza Educators
WHEN:          Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5 PM
WHERE:        Governors Office 300 S Spring St, #16701, Los Angeles, CA

Media Contacts:
Miguel Zavala                   (626) 617-0401 Los Angeles
Eduardo Enrique Ochoa   (619) 252-7891 San Diego
 

The Association of Raza Educators views with skepticism the recently released budget proposal from Governor Schwarzenegger, which if approved by the legislature will salvage education for now, but will not remedy the budget crisis that policy makers have created for our state; crisis that disproportionally impacts working people in the State of California.
 
Although the Governor announced that he will not cut close to $5 billion from education, many school districts throughout the state will still be short changed and many of the announced lay-offs will continue.
 
“Through our efforts, we were able to defend public education from the criminal and unconstitutional cuts that the governor had proposed, this a step in the right direction and a significant victory in the long path to defend public schools, but we will continue to be vigilant in defense of education.” said José Lara, a High School Teacher in Los Angeles and a member of the Association of Raza Educators (ARE).
 
Last week over 200 members of ARE and Teachers for Social Justice rallied in front of the State Capitol after conducting the largest teacher led statewide caravan. The effort was recognized by state legislators as a powerful grass-root movement, which helped pressure Gov. Schwarzenegger to back paddle on his initial budget proposal.
 
ARE also condemns the budget cuts that are expected to occur to public transportation, health and welfare, among other vital services for working people in the state. For quality education must be grounded in healthy communities, which have access to public services, health care and reliable transportation.
 
“Policy makers must stop trying to balance the broken budget system that they created on the backs of working families. At the same time, the wealthiest tier of the state’s residents continues to pay fewer taxes. A cuts only budgeting process is not a solution,” Lara also said.
 
 
Formed in 1994 and with chapters throughout

Southern California the Association of Raza Educators is committed to democratic schooling, critical consciousness and promoting higher education opportunities for students of color.

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Caravan de San Diego a Sacramento

Members from the community, representatives from State Senator Christine Kehoe’s office, SDEA President Camille Zombro, and the Association of Raza Educators gathered in Chicano Park on Thursday May 8^th, 2008 for a press conference against the proposed cuts in education.  The press conference was covered by three media outlets (Univision, KUSI, and PBS)  and expressed the need to defend the rights of students and prevent any cuts in school funding. 

A Caravan of nine automobiles left Chicano Park with over 30 educators traveling to Sacramento as a form of demonstrating their disgust towards what A.R.E. believes are unacceptable cuts to education.  The air was filled with energy and excitement as the caravan left the grounds of Chicano Park towards the state capital. 

The Los Angeles chapter of the Association of Raza Educators held their own demonstration in downtown Los Angeles on the steps of the Mayor’s office.  The message was loud and clear, NO TO BUDGET CUTS IN EDUCATION! 

Both caravans met in Fresno that night after a long ride along the coast of California.  Instead of looking tiresome, energy levels rose after the caravans met mid-state.  It was impressive to see educators from Los Angeles and San Diego in solidarity against what they believe are unjust attacks on the education of their students.

After a few hours of sleep, over 15 vehicles filled with almost eighty educators, students, and parents left Fresno towards San Francisco as the sun rose over the California hills.  There was a sight to see as the caravans entered downtown San Francisco.  Activists from the Teachers for Social Justice organization were waiting on the steps of city hall to welcome the caravan as they honked their horns in protest to the governor’s proposed cuts. 

The chants began, “El maestro luchando, tambien esta enseñando! Educacion Si, Recortes, NO! “ The caravaners took the streets and marched to the steps of city hall.  Karen Zapata was quoted “This is what it’s all about, this sight is making me cry.”  The action moved every San Francisco educator awaiting the teacher activists from southern California. 

Speakers at this press conference included A.R.E. members Maryanne Belmontez and Miguel Zavala, T4SJ Coordinator Karen Zapata, and San Francisco State University professor Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade.  The crowd swelled to almost two hundred individuals filled with passion who were outspoken against any hits to school funding.  The Caravan continued to its last destination, the state capital, Sacramento.

The teacher rally on the grounds of the State Capitol building could not have been any better.  Educators, parents, and students from every major city within the state of California voiced their opposition towards the cuts proposed by a so-called “supporter” of education.  The message must have been crystal clear, the governor’s response only a few days later was a recall of all the proposed cuts and instead, an increase in school funding.  The Caravan was most definitely a huge success.  Que viva el estudiante, que viva la maestra, y que viva el maestro!