Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Educational Strike in Spain Brings Hundreds of Thousands Into the Streets

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Educational Strike in Spain Brings Hundreds of Thousands Into the Streets

Click here to access transcript of the 7:01m video from Real News Network moderated by Noah Gimbel.

Quebec students aren't the only one engaging in massive strikes against cutbacks in education and rising tuition.

NOAH GIMBEL: I’m here in Madrid, Spain, where over 50 groups have come together to call for an education strike from preschool to the university, teachers, students and parents. The participation rate has been estimated at 80%. Protestors are calling for an end to the austerity measures that have hit the public education system.