Are student protests effective?

Each year, students participate in "March in March" demonstrations to support higher education.

But do they really impact the California Legislature?

In Sacramento, protest and rallies for causes at the Capitol are commonplace. So what makes one year's "March in March" more important than the next?

That depends on who you are and what issues are more pertinent to you.

According to lobbyist Simeon Gant, AROZ Consultants, Government Relations Public Affairs, when students are visible and voice their opinions, it's harder for politicians to ignore them. In other words, these marches – and the media coverage they receive – can make a difference. When it comes to politics, "out of sight (is) out of mind," said Gant.

For the past two years, American River College Associated Student Body and supporting students have been a part of the "March in March" on the state Capitol to protest against cuts to California's education.

With the previous taxes set by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put in place in May 2009 and set to expire this year and cause a budget shortfall, many students felt more pressure to show their support for school funding.

This year's march allowed approximately 15,000 students, 130 of them being from ARC, to protest to get tax extensions on the ballot in order to give the people a chance to vote on money going towards the education of California college students.

If the tax extensions are not approved, than the California college community is looking at a $1.4 billion loss. That translates to 400,000 students with no college to attend.

The 2009 "March in March," with an estimated 5,000 California college students, protested against $401 million in budget cuts to higher education, including California community colleges, state colleges and universities.

In 2010, 112 students from ARC accompanied the more than 13,000 students and supporting Californians to stand against $645 million to higher-education budget cuts.

This year, the best-case scenario will be a funding reduction of around $900 million for higher education.

With California still operating on the after-effects of a recession, many people have returned to school to receive a degree in order and acquire a well-paying job.

California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott said this year's proposed cuts will hurt colleges' ability to serve students and harm California's economic recovery. If 2 percent of California's population earns associate degrees and 1 percent more earns bachelor's degrees, the states economy will grow by $20 billion, due to the money that will cycle back into the community.