5,000 Protest at UC Berkeley Over Tuition and Layoffs

Some 5,000 individuals protested at the University of California at Berkeley today over planned tuition increases, furloughs and layoffs in response to a state budget crisis.

Similar protests were expected statewide, reports the Contra Costa Times.

"Two-thirds of our union members have salaries in the low $40,000s," says Toni Mendocino, an administrative assistant facing a threatened furlough from her job at the university's law school. "I'm 40 and I have four roommates. Every time I take BART or the bus to work, I have to think if I can afford it."

Additional coverage:

L.A. Now (Los Angeles Times): "UC protests loud but peaceful; no major disruptions or problems reported"

New York Times: "California University Cuts Protested "

Updated at 4:52 p.m. to link to Los Angeles Times coverage and at 5:58 p.m. to link to New York Times coverage.