Thousands of Occupy protesters demonstrate at LA colleges over higher education fees

The Occupy movement dubbed Thursday a "National Day of Action," holding rallies, walkouts and marches across the nation with the purpose of "fighting to guarantee the right to education for everyone." 

Students at California State University, Los Angeles raised a ruckus as they swarmed in and out of academic buildings, the student bookstore and administration offices, KPCC's Vanessa Romo reports. Students chanted, “No cuts, no fees! Education should be free!”  

The rally hit a crescendo on the steps of the student union, where hundreds of young men and women pumped their fists in the air, calling out, Whose school?" To the fervent answer, "Our school!"  

Freshman Martin Inchauregui is not a U.S. citizen, so he doesn’t qualify for financial aid. He pays — or rather, his parents pay — the full tuition of $2,800 a quarter out of pocket. 

"It's getting too difficult for us," he said. "They say that tuition’s going to up like, $500, just for next year. That’s what they say right now, but then how about for next year? 

Occupy protesters took to Twitter and other social media to post updates, reactions and photos from the protests.

And the walk out has begun #csula very distracting while trying to learn

— Marc Negrete (@marc_negrete) March 1, 2012

Big protest at #CSULA !!! university bookstore shut down b/c of #BudgetCuts

— @Dina Abou Salem (@dinaabousalem) March 1, 2012

We might have come in different boats but we're in the same boat right now. #CSULA

— Crystal Go (@wrong_khristol) March 1, 2012

Occupy protesters witnessed some violence, such as at UC Santa Cruz, where it was reported that a vehicle plowed through protesters. Elsewhere, students took over the offices of university bigwigs and staged some dramatic action.

RT #OccupySantaCruz hit by motorist. #UCSC shutdown since 430am! sfist.com/2012/03/01/car…

— OccupySCBot (@OccupySCBot) March 1, 2012

Defend Public Education: #CSULB #Protest yfrog.com/mgdmmpaj

— Eric Soul (@getateric) March 1, 2012

@ReclaimUCSD just took over the Chancellor's Complex Conference Room and removed all the furniture #occupysd #UCSD #m1 yfrog.com/g0cpazqj

— OccupySD (@OccupySD) March 1, 2012

Los Angeles students 'lay dead' to protest state cuts to education: "Education is dead" (via @whatisjoe) #M1 #OccupyLA twitter.com/Re_Occupy/stat…

— Occupy Congress (@Re_Occupy) March 1, 2012

So proud of the students marching today. We are a movement of all agesbut it's nice to see the young'uns get fired up. :) #M1 #ows

— Carrie M (@CarrieM213) March 1, 2012

We have gotten word that #SDSU has taken over President Hirshman's office. @reclaimcsu #occupysd #occupy #m1 #osd #sandiego #sd #owss #ucsd

— OccupySD (@OccupySD) March 1, 2012

Why is the Fox News helicopter flying over upper campus? #CSULB

— Samantha Young (@childishsambino) March 1, 2012

Exciting to watch CSU students stand up for themselves and for the country by fighting for accesible higher education. Thanks! #reclaimcsu

— Jake Parent (@JakeDParent) March 1, 2012

You can see more reaction and learn more about the rally in searches for the hashtags #M1 and #ReclaimCSU.