On April 20, the AIDE (Action In Defense of Education) network held its first statewide action against budget cuts to education. Representing the Santa Cruz chapter of the network, roughly 150 students and union members from UCSC took over the streets in a march to the county buildings in downtown Santa Cruz. There they met and rallied with elementary school and high school students, as well as Santa Cruz and Pajaro school district teachers and parents. Cece Pinheiro, vice president of the Santa Cruz County School Board, came to show support for the cause as well.

The march took over the entire right side of Bay Street, turning left onto the right lane of Mission Street, then down Walnut Street past Santa Cruz High School (where high school students joined the march). The marchers then took over the entire width of Pacific Avenue before turning onto Water Street towards their final destination.

Protestors carried picket signs addressing the issues of budget cuts to public education and teacher and worker pay, while yelling chants such as "Students And Workers United For Justice" and "They Say Cut Back, We Say Fight Back".

Simultaneous marches took place statewide, in the Bay Area (roughly 1,000 people), San Diego (roughly 350 people), and Los Angeles (roughly 800-1,000 people).

Photos: Downtown and at the County Building || At the County Building || At Ocean and Water Streets

Audio: Rockin' the Boat: Statewide Student Walkout

See also: Students and Workers March in Solidarity to Santa Cruz Courthouse