Fri, 05 Mar 2010 | PressTV
 |
US police arrest a group of protestors in Oakland, California. |
 |  |
Police in the US have arrested at least 150 students participating in peaceful nationwide rallies to protest against cuts in educational funding.
Baton-wielding police said Thursday they arrested the protestors who blocked a freeway and caused traffic for an hour in California's Oakland region.
According to authorities, one protester suffered serious injuries after jumping from an elevated freeway while officers were making arrests.
Students, teachers, parents and others rallied in what is being called the "March 4th National Day of Action for Public Education."
The first sign of protest came midday at the University of California at Berkeley, with yoga students holding class outside to avoid crossing picket lines.
Later, several hundred students, faculty and staff rallied at Berkeley and marched to downtown Oakland. Local media reported that a San Francisco City Hall rally drew thousands.
The steep economic downturn has forced states to slash funding to K-12 schools, community colleges and universities to cope with plummeting tax revenues.
Experts said schools and colleges could face more severe financial problems over the next few years as they drain federal stimulus money that temporarily prevented widespread layoffs and classroom cuts.
[ report from russia today ]
