Hundreds Protest Snyder's Visit to Ann Arbor

Chants of “Recall Rick!” and “It’s not fair!” filled the air Saturday as a broad coalition of students, parents, families and unions gathered at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor near the site of the University of Michigan’s commencement to protest Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed $220 million cut to higher education.

The rally featured speakers from labor, faith and community organizations, as well as local elected officials.

“We need to take back our state. We can’t just be fired up today,” said state Sen. Rebecca Warren (D-18th District). “We need to stay involved, support our candidates that reflect our values and recall those that don’t. We have a lot of work to do.”

Autumn Campbell, a teacher at Dexter Community Schools, echoed Warren and said she attended the protest because of her passion for education.

“My husband and I are both teachers, and we are committed to assuring our students receive the best education that they can get in Michigan,” Campbell said. “There are so many concerns with Governor Snyder’s proposed budget cuts to education, and we know there would be a ripple effect felt by our students and the community.”

Campbell said she is not alone in her fight to protect education funding in Dexter.

“I am so proud of our teachers. We have the most passionate teachers who come early and stay late because they are committed to our children. I’m proud that we’re united today in our display of concern for our students’ future," she said.

Ian Robinson, a U of M sociology instructor, was on hand to support the teachers.

“You don’t have to be a nerd to understand that Governor Snyder’s budget would send tuition through the roof, putting college out of reach for working- and middle-class families across the state,” he said. “Instead of slashing higher education by over $200 million to pay for a $1.8 billion tax break for corporations, Governor Snyder should require his CEO buddies to share in the sacrifice to move Michigan forward.”

Under Snyder’s budget proposal, the University of Michigan’s state appropriation will be cut by nearly $47.5 million, which will force University officials to raise tuition by as much as 7.1 percent next year.

Zack Goldsmith, a senior at U of M, said he chose to attend the protest after hearing of the governor’s proposed cuts to higher education.

“At the University of Michigan, I learned that we still have a long way to go in this country before the lofty words of ‘liberty and justice for all’ ring true,” Goldsmith said. “I’ve learned that it is not the executive, the CEO, the investment banker or the hedge fund manager that has built this country into what it is. In fact, these are the same men and women who brought the economy crashing down around us.

“I’ve learned, instead, that it is the toiling and embattled middle class, the public employee, teachers, firefighters, nurses and students who fight every day for their fair share, who—through their continued struggle—make this country into what it is,” Goldsmith said.

Desiree Conyers, a U of M nurse, said she is concerned that the governor’s proposed budget cuts will have an adverse affect on patients.

“As a nurse, I am an advocate for my patients,” she said. “Nurses take care of patients every day, and we work with people who are unemployed. Some cuts never heal, and these budget proposals are detrimental across the board.”