Students of Fresno City College and other members of the Fresno community gathered on Monday at Courthouse Park to highlight the dangers of decreased funding for the community college district.
The rally, organized by the FCC Associated Student Government, was attended by 400 to 500 people, according to ASG. Attending the event were various clubs from FCC as well as others from other State Community College Center District campuses, and individuals who simply support community college districts.
The event was meant to raise awareness to the community about how severely the college will be affected if the possible $6 million budget cuts were implemented.
“Community Colleges affect the community,” said ASG Legislative Vice President Rebecca Ashjian. “If we get cut, then it affects the work forces that come out from our community colleges.”
FCC personally contributes to a large amount of the work force. Eighty percent of local nurses come from FCC, and the budget cuts could see the nursing programs cut as well, according to James Holden of the FCC Nursing Program.
During the rally, a banner as well as many letters were signed by attendees. These were taken up to Senator Tom Berryhill, whom the rally intended to gain the support of, at the state capital after the rally.
The day’s events consisted of ASG members giving information concerning how the cuts will harm the community, as well as several speakers and performances from various clubs that attended the event.
Puente Club member Ivan Guiterrez played the guitar as the FCC mascot Sam the Ram danced along to it. This was followed by a traditional Mexican folkloric dance performed by members Ana Caballero and Denise Mendoza, both of whom are FCC alumni. They said they came out to show our support for what the community colleges are going through right now with the budget cuts.
Later, speaker Fernesser Achuo of the Pan African Student Union spoke about how important it was to stand together for the community colleges is.
“Community college is a pyramid that’s meant to stand for 100 years,” said Achuo.
After many different speakers told their stories, the Reedley College Tiger mascot went up against the
FCC mascot in a dance off to the song “Teach Me How To Dougie.”
Other performances included the FCC Gospel Choir who sang two songs, followed by the FCC
Folklorico Club who contributed a dance performance to the day’s events.
Amongst those who attended was a group of M.E.Ch.A. members, who pushed the event more as a protest and less as a rally, holding picket signs to raise awareness of the dark times that can ensue if the budget cuts take their toll.
“This is a very serious thing,” said M.E.Ch.A. member Cindy Quiralte. “This is our education. This is our future.”
President Cynthia Azari, who attended the Rally for Community Unity, said she felt positive about how the event will help unite the Fresno community. “I think it’s a good first step. As people come out hear the speakers and listen, it’ll encourage them to investigate and to look into what is the real message we are trying to get to the community.”
