Staff, faculty, and students made three things clear at the walkout on Thursday, May 1, “f— the furloughs,” “tax the rich,” and “get ICE off campuses.”
Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Protest participant ringing a bell. The crowd rang bells and applauded each time more faculty and staff arrived at the walkout. Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Faculty Librarian Althea Lazzaro speaking to the crowd. Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Union leader and administrative assistant Dawnelle Wilkie made it clear—to thunderous applause—how faculty, staff, and students feel about the prospect of furloughs.
Furloughs are temporary layoffs, forced, unpaid “time off.” Currently, Governor Ferguson has suggested almost all state employees take one forced day off per month for two years, 12 unpaid days per year, 24 total–costing workers a minimum of $3,985.92 each over the next two years, typically more.
Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian “We will not bow down in the face of intimidation,” said Reverend Sekou to staff, faculty, and students. Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Ash, a student at Central, speaks about furloughs and layoffs, and how they will affect students by lowering the quality of education. Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Heba, a South Seattle College student, speaking to the crowd. Heba spoke of lack of class options due to downsizing at the colleges, and how furloughs and further layoffs would exacerbate these problems.Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian State legislator Shaun Scott spoke, voicing support for the walkout.Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Seattle College faculty union President Helena Ribeiro speaking, emphasizing AFT’s stance against furloughs and layoffs. Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Two people performed a song, united for college workers and students, rallying against the furloughs and the layoffs.Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Two AFT union workers lead the crowd in chants.Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian One sign held by union workers featuring a hammer labeled “fake austerity,” smashing a metallic mass labeled “labor.”Idaya Zyndra | The Seattle Collegian Another student at the walkout holding a sign reading “I prefer crushed ICE.”
ICE is a U.S. government agency named “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Five students at the Seattle Colleges have had their F-1 visas revoked by the Trump administration, and according to speakers yesterday, ICE has detained two college union workers.
Idaya is a student here at Seattle Central College who is always looking out for the health of our communities; here at Central, in Seattle, and, as per Idaya’s lofty aspirations, a healthy international community as well. As a writer and photographer, Idaya loves to report on current events, keeping the community well informed.
A video recording of a Jan. 12 online public forum with Seattle Colleges Chancellor Shouan Pan, Ph.D., and Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations Terrence Hsiao that was shared by the Chancellor’s Office is no longer available on the original link provided to the community.
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