Save Our State Rally

Save Our State Rally Website: http://www.april62011.org/

"Never forget: This crisis is a disaster, but it's not an entirely natural disaster. Those in control of our budget have hobbled the state through years of debt, diversions, and deception." - Kirk Watson, Texas Senator

On April 6th, thousands of Texans swooped down on the capitol with protest signs, bullhorns, and even a mini-blimp to share their voice with the legislators in session. This powerful group was part of the Save Our State Rally and backed by multiple organizations including Center for Public Policy Priorities, Children's Defense Fund, Cover Texas Now, Save Our Schools, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas AFT, Texas Forward, Texas Impact, Texas League of Young Voters, Texas Organizing, Texas State Employees Union, and Texas State Teachers Association. Over 50 advocacy and social service organizations in Texas were represented.

Six to seven thousand participants met in Waterloo Park, marched over to the capitol as a unified body, and held a rally on the south steps, and concluded by holding advocacy visits with legislators. The atmosphere of the rally was electric. Participants of all ages were represented and raised their voices for support of Texas unions, health care programs, and education. Students from local schools held signs that declared "My school is my future" and their parents accompanied them, declaring "Don't balance the budget on our kids".

The crowd cheered at the capitol and the legislators inside alternating between, "It's raining, it's pouring, Governor Perry is snoring!", "Si se puede!", and "This is what democracy looks like!" The general atmosphere of the crowd was one demanding that the State take responsibility for the current crisis and find alternatives to balancing the budget without cutting services to children or seniors. Legislators were asked to align priorities with great teachers and public servants who impact our state as well as the general public of Texas, rather than big business.