Creative Commons images by Flickr user informatique

Students and faculty across the country who are tired of the empty promises of an affordable, accessible, and high-quality public higher education system are holding protests, walk-outs and teach-ins Thursday as part of the National Day of Action to Defend Public Education.

Schools all across the country spoke up Thursday:

The University of Massachusetts, Amherst organized a dramatic, week-long walk across the state to draw attention to the funding crisis in public higher education. 

Many schools took a darker approach to protesting and portrayed the fatal effects that budget cuts have had. Hunter College in New York staged a die-in presentation to illustrate the very crippling effects of the budget cuts. 

Louisiana State University had a similar illustration with their jazz funeral procession that raised awareness about budget cuts and commemorated the impact that these cuts have had on students and will have on the future of Louisiana’s economy. Students and faculty came dressed in traditional black or white funeral attire, and there were coffins that represented the threatened programs.

Other schools took a brighter approach to protesting, such as the University of Georgia. Students there had a “celebration of education” that included music, signs, dancing, flyering and chanting. They wanted to get a mass of students in front of their administration building to show how many people care and support the cause of public education.

The University of Minnesota joined in on this approach with their “Free Concert to Defend Public Education” that featured a wide variety of independent artists, guest speakers and free food.

Not only universities are taking part on this protest, but elementary schools, as well. Students at Patchwork Elementary School in Colorado handed out children’s step stools to show that their children should be seen and represented in their community.

To reach reporter Monica Nguyen, click here

To follow her on Twitter: @ciaoblue

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