Why We March

In 2025, California’s higher education system—its students, faculty, and staff—face unprecedented challenges stemming from decades of disinvestment in higher education and the Trump Administration’s anti-education agenda .

At risk are the fundamental rights of students to pursue an affordable education free from threats of deportation or attacks on their personal identities, as well as the ability of faculty to exercise their right to academic freedom.

In the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in the world, record numbers of higher education students experience food and housing insecurity. Meanwhile, over two-thirds of California’s higher education faculty work as contingent or gig laborers, often grappling with food or housing insecurity and resorting to public assistance. Similarly, wages and working conditions for higher education staff have led to widespread dissatisfaction and an increasing exodus of workers, exacerbating staff shortages.

This trajectory does not build the future or fulfill the promise California deserves. We march to demand full-funding of education and to call for protections for everyone, especially the most vulnerable, including immigrants, DACA, and LGBTQ+ students, and women’s rights. We also demand the preservation of the humanities, ethnic studies, social studies, and the right of faculty in all disciplines to teach their curriculum as they see fit.

We march for dignity and respect for all members of the higher education community. California must expand the College Promise program to ensure access for its most underserved students and provide the wraparound services essential for their success. This cannot happen without securing tenure rights and improving working conditions and job security for all faculty and staff.

For these reasons, we march to protect students, safeguard education, and secure California’s future.

Date: Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Location: Sacramento Capitol, California