12:24pm | Students from Long Beach’s Wilson High School will host a peaceful rally tomorrow to stand up for education and defend the American dream as part of MoveOn.org’s nationwide Defend the Dream day of action.

MoveOn.org’s roughly 5 million members will stage similar protests and rallies on Tuesday, March 15, in towns and cities throughout the United States. The Long Beach demonstration is set for 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Seventh Street and Ximeno Avenue.

The united effort of solidarity protests is mobilizing largely in response to the current provisions of the proposed federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget has been largely crafted with Republican interests at the forefront, and a host of vital social service programs, as well as education, stand to be starved. 

MoveOn officials said that should the federal budget be approved as is, it would result in the loss of about 700,000 jobs nationwide; easing or eliminating clean air and water restrictions; and deep funding cuts for child care and the Women Infants and Children nutrition program.

Californian’s have even more to worry about, as the state’s proposed budget and its package of painful, controversial cuts and proposals continue to be negotiated by Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislators.

Danielle S., the MoveOn member who is hosting tomorrow’s rally, according to the sign-up page, lists a number of more locally-significant reasons why Long Beach residents should come out and join MoveOn members in demonstrating to defend the American dream tomorrow evening:

  • K-12 schools and colleges have already been cut over $20 billion over the last three years–nearly $3,000 per K-12 student.
  • Class sizes are soaring, programs are disappearing and entire school years are shrinking in many school districts.
  • More than 30,000 California educators and 10,000 other public school employees have been laid off over the past three years.
  • The governor’s plan to extend temporary taxes for five years will help prevent further cuts to schools, public safety, health and other vital state programs.
  • Without an extension of current revenues, public schools and colleges will lose more than $2.3 billion. 
  • The governor’s balanced budget approach will help protect students and essential services, create jobs and stabilize the economy.

“STAND UP for students and the teaching profession!” says Danielle S. “Join our friendly rally and show your support. It’s time to TAKE ACTION!!!”

Anyone who would like to sign up to attend the event (signing up is not required, however) or who would like more information about defending the American Dream can do so by clicking here.

Wilson High students have become more or less locally famous for their peaceful brand of smart protesting. Just over a year ago they gathered by the thousands to laugh out of town a group of hate-spewing religious fundamentalists from Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, who hoisted anti-gay and anti-semitic picket signs across from the home of the Bruins. 

The school is not sponsoring the rally, which is taking place on public property adjacent to the school after school is over.