A broad coalition, which includes the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and other unions, leaders in labor, faith, education and business began a march from Bakersfield to Sacramento in an effort to call attention to their purpose of transforming a crumbling California to the prospering State it once was by investing in public services vital to maintaining California’s quality of life: California’s schools, parks, libraries, safety net services, infrastructure and more.The March for California’s Future began on March 5, 2010 in Bakersfield and will conclude in Sacramento at the State Capital Building on April 21, 2010.
The march’s schedule continues from Livingston toward Turlock on Sunday at 10am.
Turlock will have a rally at Donnelly Park on Monday at 5pm.
Organizers and participants of the March for California’s Future claim they are fighting to restore democracy in Sacramento and overturn the two-thirds supermajority required to pass a budget, under which a small minority of legislators controls the state budget process, ensuring the continued decline of funding for public education and other vital social services.
While marching and holding rallies, an effort to collect signatures to put the Majority Budget measure on the November 2010 ballot is ongoing. This proposed measure would change the two-thirds supermajority required to pass a budget to a majority of 50 percent plus one to pass a budget.
The California Federation of Teachers and a diverse coalition of labor, education, community, business and faith groups believe that we can’t afford to auction off our future. We believe our elected leaders need to return to the core values that made this state great. We must come together to:
* Reclaim the promise of quality public education and services
* Rebuild state government so it works for everyone
* Restore fair and equitable taxes to invest in California’s future
We live in the richest state in the richest country in the world. Budget cuts are not inevitable, but the result of political choices. We cannot allow a minority of legislators to enact budgets that destroy rather than build. Rather than showering more tax breaks on the wealthiest millionaires and most profitable corporations, elected leaders should invest in our future.
That’s why we march. On March 5, we departed Los Angeles to march from Bakersfield to Sacramento. Along the way we are:
* Registering voters
* Collecting signatures to put the Majority Budget measure on the ballot
* Holding teach-ins and town hall meetings
* Visiting legislators
* Holding rallies to enlist your support
* Blogging, tweeting and recording the action on the frontlines with live video feeds
* Marching on the state capitol on April 21 to make our voices heard
The March for California’s Future Through Stanislaus County:
Sunday, April 4, Livingston to Turlock
Starting Location: 10AM Merced River Resort , 7765 Campground Road, Delhi 95315-9465
Monday, April 5: Turlock; Rally at Donnelly Park
Starting Location: To be announced
Public Event: 5 PM Rally at Donnelly Park, corner of W Hawkeye Avenue and Dels Lane, Turlock 95382
Tuesday, April 6: Turlock to Modesto
3PM Meet up with the marchers and walk with them into town at 1125 Kansas Ave,
Modesto 95351
Wednesday, April 7: Modesto
• Noon Staging at Central Labor Council; 1125 Kansas Ave, Modesto 95351
• 1PM March Starts
• 3:30 Estimated arrival at Graceada Park, Modesto 95354
• 4PM Rally at Greceada Park
Thursday, April 8: Modesto to Escalon
Starting Location: 8AM CWA/Modesto CLC; 1125 Kansas Ave, Modesto 95351
