Students, faculty and educators plan rallies and demonstrations across the state Wednesday to show lawmakers and the public that higher education is the engine of economic growth and social equity in California.

These events follow up the massive demonstrations that occurred throughout the country on March 4 last year and come in response to the devastating budget cuts enacted on higher education.

The California State University has lost some $1 billion, let go more than 3000 faculty, slashed course offerings and hiked student fees repeatedly in recent years.

March 2 events on CSU campuses:

• Fresno – Carnival for Higher Ed, 11:30 am-2 pm, Free Speech Area and Peace Garden
• Fullerton – “The Meaning and Value of Public Education: Renewing a Democratic Vision,” 7:30-9:30 pm, Humanities 126
• Sacramento – Demonstration & Dialogue on the state budget, Demonstration 11 am –Noon, Dialogue Noon-1:30 pm, Free Speech Zone, between University Union and Library Fountain
• San Francisco (Afternoon event) – Picket, rally and march, picket line on 19th Ave and Holloway Ave, 11 am-Noon, Rally in Malcolm X Plaza Noon-1 pm, March from SFSU to CCSF 1-2 pm
• San Francisco (Evening Event) – Town Hall forum, 7-9 pm City College of San Francisco Mission Campus, 1125 Valencia St, Room 109
• Sonoma – Camp Out for Quality Education, All day on March 2nd, Peak attendance between Noon and 1 pm, main quad