On Day 2 of the protest, CTA held a press conference in conjunction with parent group representatives to emphasize the importance of schools and that classrooms can’t take any more cuts.

“Budget cuts hurt kids,” she said. “We are losing critical programs and services and hurting the most vulnerable students, who are not getting what they need to achieve their full potential. We need to take a balanced approach to the budget and also look at new revenues. We need a budget that invests in our children and also the future of the state. Now, more than ever, the time for action is now.” She added that today PTA members are delivering thousands of postcards to legislators that were written during a recent conference held in Southern California.

“What is wrong with us that we can’t pay teachers what they are worth and we imprison children,” she told the crowd. “If you don’t get educated, you will be prison-bound.” She and other members pointed out that the state will spend more than $200,000 per year for a youth in prison and under $8,000 a year for youths attending public schools. With her is parent Lucianna Beltran, a parent in Sacramento whose child attends Harkness Elementary. Her child recently told her that class sizes have gotten bigger, and it’s more difficult for her to focus. She encouraged other parents to protest school cuts and get their child’s point of view about why cuts hurt.