As university administrations continue to hike up tuition costs, students are feeling the financial strain more than ever. And with the Biden administration funding Israel’s brutal attacks on the Palestinian people, many students have had enough. But instead of staying silent, a group of student debtors and the Debt Collective took a stand and organized a powerful direct action in Washington DC to demand change.
With the cost of higher education skyrocketing, students today are facing unprecedented levels of debt. And while this may seem like an individual problem, it is actually a deep-rooted systemic issue. University administrations are using students’ hard-earned tuition dollars to silence dissent and limit free speech on campuses. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is using taxpayers’ money to fund Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.
But students are not sitting idly by. On May 5th, a group of student debtors and the Debt Collective, a grassroots organization fighting for economic justice, joined forces to lead a direct action in Washington DC. Their message was clear: enough is enough.
The group of students marched to the Department of Education and the Department of Treasury to demand immediate action on student debt cancellation. They were joined by members of the Palestinian Youth Movement, who stood in solidarity with the students and shared their own stories of struggling under the weight of student debt.
The action was a powerful demonstration of the collective power of student debtors. As a diverse group of students from different backgrounds and experiences came together, they sent a strong message to those in positions of power: we will not stay silent while our futures are being destroyed by student debt.
One of the key demands of the action was for the Department of Education and the Department of Treasury to cancel all student debt. This is not a radical idea – in fact, it is a common sense solution to the student debt crisis. With the stroke of a pen, President Biden could cancel all federal student debt, providing much-needed relief to millions of Americans burdened by this debt.
But the action in Washington DC was not just about demanding student debt cancellation. It was also about shedding light on the intersectional issues that impact students, such as the ongoing violence and oppression faced by the Palestinian people. The students made it clear that they will not stand for their tuition dollars being used to fund such atrocities.
The Debt Collective, which has been organizing for debt relief and economic justice for years, has been a driving force behind this direct action. Their relentless advocacy has led to victories such as the debt cancellation for former Corinthian Colleges students and the inclusion of student debt cancellation in the HEROES Act. Their work is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of fighting for what is right.
But the fight for student debt cancellation is far from over. As students, we must continue to put pressure on our government to take action on this issue. We must continue to amplify the voices of those who are most affected by student debt, including marginalized communities and people of color. And we must continue to hold our universities accountable for their actions and demand that they prioritize the well-being and futures of their students over profits.
The action in Washington DC was a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can make a real difference. The student debt crisis is not just about numbers and statistics – it is about the lives of millions of individuals who are struggling to make ends meet because of a broken system. But by standing united and demanding change, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations.
As students, we have the power to shape our own future. We must use our voices and our actions to demand a more just and equitable society. And as we continue to fight for student debt cancellation and other social justice issues, we must never forget the power of collective action and the impact it can have on creating meaningful change.
So let us take inspiration from the student debtors and the Debt Collective who led the direct action in Washington DC. Let us continue to raise our voices and stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for a better future. And let us never lose sight of the fact that our actions and our activism can make a real difference in the world. Because enough is enough – it’s time for student debt cancellation now.
