US students protest fee hikes at universities

Students and faculty at California's public universities rallied across the state on Thursday to protest steep fee hikes they say have damaged a system of higher education long the envy of the nation. More than 100 such events in more than 30 states were scheduled for a "Day of Action" in support of public education, prompted by tuition hikes and program cuts that reflect financial problems affecting nearly every U.S. state. Weakening of the education system is considered especially severe in California, one of the states hardest hit by the recession. Protests were largely peaceful, although Oakland police arrested about 150 people after protesters climbed onto a San Francisco Bay area freeway during the afternoon commute, shutting it down for about an hour, police said.