Thousands of students and activists marched on the state Capitol on Monday to protest cuts in higher education, and authorities arrested several dozen who refused to leave the building after it closed in the evening. The demonstration, billed by some as an “occupy the Capitol” act and supported by a freewheeling coalition of student groups and labor unions, was the latest sign of simmering discontent over steady hikes in the cost of state universities and community colleges… Democratic political leaders largely embraced the demonstrators, most of whom stayed outside. Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the rally on the west steps. “We’ve cut billions of dollars, and I’ve hated every minute of it,” Steinberg said.

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by Chris Megerian, The Los Angeles Times.

Posted: March 5th, 2012, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.