Thousands hit Nevada Legislature to protest cuts to education
Students from across Nevada gathered by the thousands today at the Nevada Legislature and at the Governor's office demanding the state's education system be spared from huge cuts proposed under Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Early estimates had the crowd of mostly college students at 1,500 but the numbers have begun to swell as students, faculty and parents from around the state arrive from various locations around the state. Now early estimates among officials on the ground has the number of more than 2,000 demonstrating.
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Click here for a more photos and gallery of today's event.
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One high school, Cheyenne in Las Vegas, had 400 students in a convoy of more than a dozen buses. More than 500 students from University of Nevada Las Vegas boarded tour buses last night for the road trip.
University of Nevada, Reno students also arrived by the busloads. Students from Western Nevada College campuses were quite visible, many expressing fear that education programs vital to the state's economy such as nursing, will be slashed under the governor's budget proposal.
Chanting "SOS Save Our Schools" and "No More Cuts" students walked peaceably through the Legislative Building, making it known that they fear deep cuts to education will damage the state's already shaky economy.
“It is essential that our legislators know how important education is to Nevada residents,” said Charlie Jose, president of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN). “This demonstration shows we all stand together in our fight to preserve education. Our system can’t endure the devastating cuts that are proposed right now.”
Faced with the cuts, university officials have already drafted preliminary plans that would hike tuition anywhere between 10 to 15 percent. With the hikes could also come a combination of program cuts, less college courses offered and pay cuts to faculty and staff. Students these choices are not acceptable.
"I think the proposed cuts are extremely unfair because they have targeted education, singling out education. If the governor the wants to make cuts it, should be done fairly and across the board. Right now I feel education is an easy target," said Jenny Buckley, 21, UNLV student majoring in art, education and philosophy.
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