Philadelphia students and supporters rally against proposed budget cuts

Public school students and their supporters in Philadelphia rallied Thursday to protest budget cuts, especially to arts programs.  

The students came to display their talents and show how their development would be stifled if state budget cuts result in the end of art and music programs.  High school student Adina Goldstein is concerned about losing music classes.

“Depriving any student of these programs deprives them of future potential that’s why it is imperative that as much money as can be put into education is,” Goldstein said. Reducing the budget by $1,400 a student would be stunting the potential of an entire generation.”

Councilman Curtis Jones says parents and students alike need to fight for education funding. “Education is your generation’s civil rights issue,” he said.

Philadelphia Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunnery attended the rally.  “This is not being radical, left or right, it’s about doing the correct thing for kids,” Nunnery said.

The students are vowing to continue to fight as the state budget is debated in Harrisburg.