Official statement released by California State University Northridge students regarding the March 4th 2010 student protest:

As of Friday, March 5th, 2010 12:08pm

We, the students of California State University Northridge & higher education throughout the state of California:

Demand an immediate apology and rectification from all media outlets who reported the March 4th Walkout and protest as “unruly”, “not peaceful”, “violent”, and who used problematic language in reporting the actions of all participating students during the events of the day.

Demand JUSTICE for Karren Baird-Olson, 73 year old, Associate Professor of Sociology and American Indian Studies, Coordinator, American Indian Studies Program, and Professor of Criminology at CSUN who was brutally attacked by LAPD Police on March 4, 2010, and suffered a broken arm and multiple injures. We are demanding that no charges be placed against her and that all of her medical fees be paid, immediately, along with an apology from the police officers that brutalized her

Demand JUSTICE for all CSUN students arrested during the rally, who were brutalized and apprehended with the use of excessive and unnecessary force by the LAPD.

Demand No citations or charges against the students arrested at the CSUN student Rally (Prairie/Reseda) on March 4th.

Demand that California State University Northridge respect the civil rights and actions of all students who participated in the protest by not taking any further action against them in the forms of expulsion or suspension, seeing as their conduct and behavior was not only peaceful, but an exemplary model of leadership, liberation, and student activism, and a clear model of the forward thinkers and leaders this University strives to produce.

Demand CSU Northridge to provide funding and transportation to the “March in March” student rally on March 22, 2010, at the State Capital (West Steps), Sacramento, as well as all other events and demonstrations regarding the budget cuts.

Demand a public forum with the CSU Northridge Administration, including President Jolene Koester, and Associated Student Body President Abel Pacheco for our grievances to be addressed and actions be taken in response.

We assert that free education is a RIGHT for ALL people

ULTIMATE DEMANDS:

1. NO MORE BUDGET CUTS – NO MORE CUT CLASSES/ UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS/ FURLOUGH Days/LAYOFFS of part-time, full time, faculty staff and administrators.

2. NO MORE FEE INCREASES – STOP TAXING STUDENTS/STOP TUITION INCREASES

3. RESTORE CATEGORICAL FUNDING – PROTECT EOP&S/DSPS/CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION/MATRICULATION PROGRAMS

4. Allocate money to ensure there is proper and efficient funding for interpreters to be present in every classroom, and at every event where one is requested and needed to assist students in the Deaf community.

We are making these demands PEACEFULLY, in defense of our education. It is our desire to have an OPEN, PUBLIC, and collective dialogue where our needs are met with the administration of this university. The peaceful protest of March 4th was not a student vs. police action, nor was it composed of a group of unruly troublemakers, misfits, or social deviants. We stand here as representatives of our student body at large to inform the world that last night’s protest was an outcry for help to rectify the Draconian budget cuts implemented by the state of CA legislators that have denied students of all levels from obtaining a fair, equal, and adequate public education. We have exhausted the venues available to us to contact our representatives to express our concerns and extreme discontent about the misappropriation of funds that have led to the economic crisis our state now faces. Because all traditional methods used have been to no avail, our actions are a direct result of the legislative decisions made by CA legislators, district representatives, and the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger against California’s institutions of education. We are in solidarity with all those who have been arrested or pressed for standing up for their right to free education.