{ Students, Occupy, & Union } Groups joust over Capitol rally role

Sacramento Bee ^ | 3/4/12 | Ed Fletcher

[SmithL]

A massive student rally in support of higher education funding planned for Monday at the state Capitol is being co-opted by labor and Occupy activists, says an executive with one of the student groups.

In the run-up to Monday's rally, two groups, Refund California and Occupy Education California, have issued press releases and given interviews about their plans to "Occupy the Capitol."

But Miles Nevin, executive director of the California State Student Association, says those two groups have "nothing to do with this event."

"We are majorly losing the media battle. They are trying to take over our event," Nevin said.

Nevin's group is rallying with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and the University of California Student Association.

The student-led event starts with a 10 a.m. march from Sacramento's South Side Park to the Capitol, where Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg are among those expected to address a rally on the west steps.

From there, the groups plan to lobby lawmakers before heading home.

Refund California and Occupy Education California have different plans.

They have their own permit, through the Sacramento Labor Council, to rally on the north steps of the Capitol at 5:30 p.m.

"Many of us are prepared to occupy," . . .

[SmithL]

All the TAKERS want dibs on taxPAYERs money.