This slogan was one of many chanted at the September 24 walkout at UC Berkeley. Thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, political ideologies, and affiliations at the UC Berkeley campus joined in solidarity against the budget cuts, which are devastating their university, the people around them, and their lives. The cuts have led to layoffs of dozens of workers, furloughs (with pay cuts of 10%), a proposal for a 32% increase in tuition, libraries and other services being cut, and cuts to ethnic studies.

All this occurs while the regents receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses and while $5.3 billion sit in UC reserves.

This catastrophic situation has led to the unity between faculty, students, workers, and staff. A group of conscious activists did much of the background organizing work, which resulted in the mobilization of the 5,000 people present at the rally and march. This group of students, workers and faculty named SWAT (Student Worker Action Team) is composed of individuals and groups who are highly committed to the interests of the people. Socialist Organizer has participated in and built this group, which was formed early in the summer in response to the cuts.

The SWAT meetings are open to everyone. All issues are discussed openly, and decisions are voted democratically to project the movement forward. Through tabling, rallies, hours of fliering and chalking, the SWAT activists were able to mobilize the campus, almost invisibly, to stand up against the regents and demand the preservation of public education.

This was the most important rally at UC Berkeley since 1968 -- and this was just the beginning. Picketlines were present all day, consisting mostly of organizers dedicated to the cause. The mass mobilization of students occurred during the rally at noon and the march that followed. Through this display of activism, it became clear that the students, faculty, and workers were united in their outrage against the budget cuts.

During the rally, keynote union speakers along with the students (mainly students of color) spoke out against such injustices. Reyes Zavalza, a member of Socialist Organizer, spoke of the hardships that working-class students and students of colors face. Blanca Misse, a graduate student and member of SWAT, spoke powerfully of how the walkout has opened the possibility for a real movement to rebuild public education.

The energy in the rally was amazing. Students aired their souls on the streets, marching to the beat of their own music and the chants of their peers. Upon entering the center of Berkeley, the students took it upon themselves to organize a mass a sit-in at key intersections. Eventually they returned to the picketlines, with spirits lifted and high hopes that they could win the right to public education for all.

The day ended with a challenging event: the General Assembly. Hundreds of students joined together, broke down into groups, and collectively decided on what actions should be taken to move the struggle forward. In the end, despite facilitation difficulties and disruptions by some ultralefts who sought to impose an occupation without the democratic input of the body, it was decided to organize a conference on October 24 to save public education.

The events that took place in UC Berkeley reflect a changing spirit on the campus, in the Bay Area, and in California. This struggle has highlighted the failures of the capitalist system that runs our society. The movement is growing and will continue to grow. What is needed is to channel the momentum UC Berkeley has created to save public education.