Scores of protests, rallies, teacher sit-ins and grade-ins, and town halls are part of a statewide “State of Emergency” campaign week led by a coalition of education supporters this week across California.

They want the Legislature to extend current taxes now to avoid the catastrophe of an all-cuts budget.

CFA members emphasized the importance of participating in the event to make a strong case for funding public higher education.

“We are living in a state of emergency,” said CFA President Lillian Taiz. “Educators from pre-school to PhD are fighting back against state budget cuts that are decimating our schools, colleges, public safety and health care services. To protect essential public services, the Legislature must finish the job of resolving the state budget crisis by extending current tax rates.”

Educators are fed up with endless cuts and will hold daily sit-ins at the Capitol building in Sacramento. In the past three years, K-12 and higher education have been cut by more than $20 billion.

To learn how to participate visit the campaign website which features events planned statewide, along with blogs, videos and news coverage about cuts and the growing coalition backing the mobilization.

As part of the week’s activities, faculty and students from Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach joined nearly 300 faculty, students, and parents from K-12 and community college at a rally Monday outside the Fullerton office of Assemblymember Chris Norby.

A delegation of faculty and students, including students hoping to transfer to the CSU, went inside Norby's office to directly deliver the message about the importance of public education to the students and families of North Orange County .