Students And Workers Push Congress For Action

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

While many of their fellow-students partied their spring breaks away on sunny beaches, hundreds of young activists marched on the Capitol yesterday to demand that Congress invest in America’s future workforce. “We’re students united; we’ll never be defeated,” chanted the students and workers as they marched up Independence Avenue in the chilly spring weather. “When we invest in education the whole community benefits,” Jake Stillwell, President of the Washington Student Lobby, told Union City. “We want Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and the Federal DREAM Act; these are the real silver bullets that will help with community progress.” Carmen Berkley, President of the United States Student Association, added that “we are out here today because we want Congress to hear the united voice of students and workers,” saying “we need a federal budget that lowers student debt and increases financial aid.” The demonstration was part of the ongoing national Student Labor Week of Action where students and higher education allies are highlighting the need for better jobs and an improved education system. “Access to quality higher education is a fundamental right,” said Berkley. - report/photo by Adam Wright