Author
gabriel freeman
intro:
Students from Boise State University occupied the Idaho State
Senate yesterday in an ongoing protest over living
wage issues for migrant farmworkers. Independent Media's Gabriel Freeman:
Community activists and students from Boise State University
gathered in the gallery of the state senate at 10:30 and as the
gavel fell to open the session they
showered the Senators with red and black confetti, fake $3 bills,
and copies of the senate wage bill. Two students
made their way to the center aisle and locked down to each other
with bicycle locks while others chanted, "Justice
for all farmworkers now."
Police were called by the Senate and 16 protesters were arrested
on charges of trespassing and disutrbing the peace.
Jeremy Maxim of the ProgressiveStudent Alliance felt that giant
corporate agribusiness had drowned out the views of the majority,
"If they were white suburban middle class soccer moms testifying
about this or that I'm sure the legislature would listen to their
concerns. They're sytematically being denied their access to
minimum wage and equal protection under
the law and they've had voices and opinions and testimony
systematically silenced."
."