On President’s Day, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) brought together students from throughout Washington state to Olympia to advocate for Free College for All, opportunities for undocumented students, and increased investment in higher education! Over 150 students, faculty, staff, families, and community members joined forces to send a message to our elected officials: No Budget Cuts! Invest in Higher Education! Invest in Our Futures!
The day started with a collective assessment of how the current political moment is impacting students across WA. Our students came from various places including Yakima, Tacoma, Pasco, Everett, Ellensburg, Seattle, Bellevue, Olympia, Ellensburg and Bothell. Student leaders led policy conversations with elected officials emphasizing the need to address the long legacy of institutional racism; that budget cuts would exacerbate racial disparities.
Our rally brought together students, community, and faculty members to take action in support of deeper investments in higher education. Benjamin Gonzalez, a student at Yakima Valley College, and Joe Colon, a faculty member at Tacoma Community College and a member of the American Federation of Teachers, Washington led an energizing rally. Students speakers shared their stories making the case for free college, basic needs, and undocumented students’ paid opportunities.
Leaders made valentines with their testimonies to educate elected officials on why investments in higher education have a real tangible impact in our lives, our community, and our state. As a whole, C4C met with 33 elected officials and their staff across 11 teams and delivered over 37 handmade valentines with the message: Invest in Our Futures, Yes to Free College for All.
C4C’s Presidents’ Day of Action builds on the power and momentum of our coalition as we fight for the first two years of college free for all!
