ALBANY,
N.Y. May 1, 2003 - HBO's Cynthia Nixon will lend her star power Saturday to a
rally for public education and higher education being held on the Empire State
Plaza in Albany. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers will join the actress in calling
for increased support for public schools and colleges. Five-time Oscar nominee
Glenn Close, like Nixon, the parent of a public school student, is tentatively
scheduled to appear as well. Nixon, star of the highly acclaimed "Sex and
the City" cable TV series, will be among the high-powered names who are expected
to help build support for New York's public schools and colleges - not just in
this state budget year, but for years to come. The March for Public Education,
sponsored by the Educational Conference Board and the Public Higher Education
Conference Board, along with numerous other education, labor and civic groups,
will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Empire State Plaza. Nixon, a New York
City resident active in the Alliance for Quality Education, will be joined on
stage by a roster of educators, business and community leaders, politicians and
labor leaders. All will urge the Governor and Legislature to ensure that public
education is the state's top funding priority. "Our message is very clear:
Investing in public education is the right choice this year and every year," said
ECB Chairman Blaise Salerno. "Our children's futures and the future of New York's
economy are inextricably linked to quality public schools and a strong system
of public colleges and universities." With the final education budget picture
still murky, Salerno added that demonstrators will make sure they' re heard in
the Capital "not just on Saturday, but every day until the state budget is finished
and education is fully funded." Organizers anticipate the march will be
the largest pro-education rally in the history of the Capital. For security reasons,
attendees are urged not to bring backpacks, bags or coolers. Those attending the
march should enter the Plaza from the south (Madison Avenue) end, and should arrive
early. Entertainment will begin at approximately 11 a.m. Organizers promised
a "well-planned, safe demonstration" and commended the state Office of General
Services, city officials, and various police agencies for their ongoing cooperation. -30-
CONTACT: Dennis Tompkins. (518) 213-600 ext. 6313. See
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