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Know Your Rights
Source: NY1
Subject: Language Access
Type: Media Coverage

Literacy Advocates Protest City Program Cuts

Adult students and community leaders [including members of Make the Road New York] rallied in City Hall Park against proposed cuts to adult literacy programs Thursday.

The mayor’s budget proposal reduces funding to English, General Educational Development (GED) and basic adult education programs by $13.2 million.

"A lot of immigrants, they work hard. They need a chance to learn English to get GEDs so they can get better jobs. It’s an investment in our city," said Manhattan Councilwoman Margaret Chin.

"They need it in order to prepare themselves for better jobs. They need it in order to help their children with their education. And if immigrants are the wheel, the economic wheel, why don’t we give them the tools they need?" said Brooklyn Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez.

The mayor has said cutbacks across the board are necessary to address a growing deficit and make up for state and federal budget cuts.

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