In retaliation against California’s tuition hikes and education budget cuts, students from across the state kicked off a “Day of Action and Strike in Defense of Public Education” on Thursday with assemblies, walkouts and teach-ins. The action was part of a national protest. –JCL

Los Angeles Times:

Students against cuts in education funding kicked off a national day of protests Thursday with generally peaceful rallies, walkouts and teach-ins at universities and high schools.

A large crowd had gathered at UCLA’s Bruin Plaza where hundreds of students, faculty and staff members chanted, “Who’s got the power? We’ve got the power!” as others walked out of classes for the protest.

The protest was just one of hundreds all over the state, and nation, for the Day of Action and Strike in Defense of Public Education.

More than 200 protesters blocked two main campus entrances at UC Santa Cruz and reportedly smashed a car windshield with a metal pipe, officials said. At UC Berkeley, nearly 150 protesters – chanting “Money for jobs and education, not for war and incarceration” – blocked the main pedestrian entrance to campus and also sought to stop people from walking into the university by hanging “danger” tape across paths.

Read more

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig