More than 150 people were arrested Thursday during a rally to support more money for education.

If young students, legal observers and the media team’s bail are not announced by Friday morning, we are asking people to peacefully assemble at the Oakland Jail, at 455 Seventh St., in downtown Oakland (510-777-3333) from 10 a.m. on. We are asking that people call to demand that all arrestees be released in an orderly fashion before the weekend.

**

Today’s March 4^th Day of Action in Oakland was called and attended to defend public education. As working students and/or people of color, we believe that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend the rights of individuals and organizations to practice them.

California has recently seen a massive movement erupt in defense of public education — but layoffs, fee hikes, cuts, and the re-segregation of public education are attacks taking place throughout the country.

 The rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza ended around 4pm when a snake march led many young students and people around the vicinity several times before getting to an Interstate 880 off ramp at 11^th Street and Castro Street in Downtown Oakland. According to Officer Thomason of Oakland Police Department most charges from Oakland’s arrests will be filed as failure to disperse misdemeanors.

Among those arrested include members of the legal observation, media and documentation teams who were detained while performing their duties because they stepped within the vicinity of the protest participants.

Charges, arrests and/or bail will not be announced until the morning of March 5. It is likely that there are more than 150 arrests in addition to nine juveniles who were released to their parents.

For our community, this isn’t just about another tuition hike but rather a system that would prefer to imprison us. Our people were out in the streets today continuing years of work to coalition-build and support movement-building in various capacities.

In the spirit of love and support of our family, friends and community in jail, please join us to ensure our message is heard.

#############

Media Contacts:

Munira Lokhandwala: 609-284-6553/muniralok@gmail.com

Irina Contreras: 323 679 5573/colaconcontra@gmail.com