fredbergen
3rd June 2010, 15:34
Students, Workers in Historic Fight to Defend Public Education
VICTORY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO STRIKE!
Thursday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
Room 5409, CUNY Graduate Center (bring photo ID)
365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street
New York City
Eyewitness Report, Video and Discussion
Sponsored by: AELLA (Association of Latino and Latin American Students at the CUNY Graduate Center), Class Struggle Education Workers, CUNY Internationalist Clubs
Since April 23, students at the University of Puerto Rico have been on strike to defend public education. Faculty and campus workers have been actively supporting the strike. Like CUNY, the UPR has been targeted for budget cuts and tuition hikes. Its administration has also decreed that students receiving Pell Grants will no longer be granted tuition waivers. This could force many low-income students out of school. These attacks are part of Law 7, under which the colonial government is carrying out mass layoffs while privatizing public-sector jobs. In response, students have struck ten out of eleven UPR campuses, while workers at the Medical School went on strike. The UPR strike has gained active support from labor unions and many others, as well as international solidarity. On May 18, a number of unions called a general strike in support of the students, and work stoppages were carried out at many locations. Thousands of workers and students rallied in front of the largest UPR campus, in Río Piedras (greater San Juan). Two days later, students and labor leaders were injured when the militarized Fuerza de Choque (Shock Force) police attacked a strike support demonstration at a fund-raising dinner for Governor Luis Fortuño. Come participate in a forum and discussion on perspectives and lessons of this ongoing struggle.
VICTORY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO STRIKE!
Thursday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
Room 5409, CUNY Graduate Center (bring photo ID)
365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street
New York City
Eyewitness Report, Video and Discussion
Sponsored by: AELLA (Association of Latino and Latin American Students at the CUNY Graduate Center), Class Struggle Education Workers, CUNY Internationalist Clubs
Since April 23, students at the University of Puerto Rico have been on strike to defend public education. Faculty and campus workers have been actively supporting the strike. Like CUNY, the UPR has been targeted for budget cuts and tuition hikes. Its administration has also decreed that students receiving Pell Grants will no longer be granted tuition waivers. This could force many low-income students out of school. These attacks are part of Law 7, under which the colonial government is carrying out mass layoffs while privatizing public-sector jobs. In response, students have struck ten out of eleven UPR campuses, while workers at the Medical School went on strike. The UPR strike has gained active support from labor unions and many others, as well as international solidarity. On May 18, a number of unions called a general strike in support of the students, and work stoppages were carried out at many locations. Thousands of workers and students rallied in front of the largest UPR campus, in Río Piedras (greater San Juan). Two days later, students and labor leaders were injured when the militarized Fuerza de Choque (Shock Force) police attacked a strike support demonstration at a fund-raising dinner for Governor Luis Fortuño. Come participate in a forum and discussion on perspectives and lessons of this ongoing struggle.