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Protesters Rally Against Higher Education Cuts In California

BERKELEY (KCBS) – A day of statewide protests against planned cuts in higher education was held on Wednesday, including a rally at UC Berkeley.

It was a sparse turnout at Sproul Plaza, the traditional meeting place for such actions on campus. But the message was loud and clear.

"To stop the budget cuts happening to the schools and protect what we love: our education," said 13-year-old middle school student Mason Gutierrez. "To stop Jerry Brown's $1.4 billion budget cuts, which are going to be taking effect on higher education."

Although Gutierrez is not a college student, he said he has a dream of one day attending art school.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

Tania Kappner with the group By Any Means Necessary said she believes the movement will grow.

"I see today as the launch of a whole campaign to fight for the money we need for the schools and to fight against the budget cuts," said Kappner.

Those at the rally also touched on the events in Egypt and Libya. But UC Berkeley senior Michael Deamer, who watched the protest, said there was an overall lack of clarity behind the message, as the group was taking on too many issues.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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