The Face of Campus Protest

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:25:42 -0500
democracy, doccupy-the-movement, irc, news, occupy, politics, uc-davis, umbc, usdemocrazy

Courtesy of The California Aggie

There’s nothing like a little pepper spray in the face to get folk’s attention.

At the University of California, Davis an unfortunate campus fracas featuring the “Occupy” movement and an assertive police force has got the nation’s attention.

Last week the “Occupy” movement organised a series of protests on the UCD campus. When tents went up on Thursday, the University Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi gave a 3PM Friday deadline for the encampment to disperse. The protesters ignored the directive.

At 3:30PM on Friday the police were sent in on the Chancellor’s orders. When a group of students linked arms and sat on the ground, police unloaded pepper spray into their faces.

The graphic image (above) of UC Davis Police Lieutenant John Pike spraying seated, passive students spread online immediately.

Students and faculty are now holding the Chancellor responsible for what they consider overly-aggressive action, and calling for her resignation,

In an email to students a professor, Bob Ostertag, stated

Throughout my life I have seen, and sometimes participated in, peaceful civil disobedience protests in which sitting and linking arms is understood by both police and citizens as a posture that indicates the clearest possible way available to them, protesters’ intent to be non-violent.

The Chancellor (In the photo below) has since commented that the students were forewarned and that the issue needs further discussion.

If our policies do not allow our students enough flexibility to express themselves, then we need to find a way to improve these policies and make them more effective and appropriate.

Courtesy of The California Aggie

Was the situation justified or have the authorities gone too far? Are the times (or policies) a-changin? How would you react if this happened at your school?

UPDATE: Our favorite web reaction to the incident can be seen below. Title: A quiet afternoon at UC Davis.