It’s never too late

Correction: Myself and fellow organizers have been informed that the Quad is unavilable and the rally has been moved slightly to Shearouse Plaza in front of the cafeteria; it will be at the same time.

I'm not going to tell you that the proposed and planned cuts to the University System of Georgia will do great, possibly irreparable harm to the state. I won't mention that the cuts will hurt your quality of education, cost you thousands more dollars in tuition and probably make you graduate later—if your degree program still exists at AASU.

I won't because I've already said all of that and most of you know it; those of you that do know it and do care are also probably too already tired to voice your opinion. Those of you with uncanny motivation even went to a rally or two to protest. But now it may seem hopeless, or you are at least tired. I'm telling you now that it is never too late to speak out against the wrong in favor of the right.

It's never too late to raise your voice and move your feet and let those in power know that they work for you and that you don't like the job they're doing. There are plenty of state legislators in office now, as well as gubernatorial, legislative and secretarial candidates that oppose these budget cuts on both sides of the aisle for the same reasons we are: because it is a terrible idea.

I am working with fellow students to organize another protest rally. I know it may seem without any further merit, but it is the essence our democracy thrives on. Just because something is done already or seems a foregone conclusion doesn't mean we just sit down and accept it; if we are against those policies it is our right—and even our duty—to stand up against them.

Our rally begins at 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13 in the middle of campus, Shearouse Plaza. There will be local political candidates and media, as well as hundreds of your fellow students. Bring a sign, or don't. There might be some pizza and I bet it will go fast so get there early. The floor will be open to anyone who wants to speak and not just to politicians and faculty, so if you are of a mind to, you can take a crack at the microphone.

This is important, and you already know that. We all know we can't fix it this easily or in one day, but this is how things get done. We have to make them know how we feel and what we want, and we have to make them realize that we are dangerous to their complacency. Most people making the rules and deciding our fate up in Atlanta all assume that we're too apathetic or lazy or stupid to figure out or even care when they're screwing us over. I don't think we are, and I'd like to show them that we shouldn't be taken so lightly.