University of California Davis Use of Pepper Spray Spawns Further Protests

Demonstrators at UC Davis Monday   Paul Sakuma/AP photo

Last Friday, students at UC Davis staged a non-violent protest against the massive rise in tuition costs that have doubled since the 2003-2004 session and are projected to increase from 8%-16% from 2012-2016 under the latest plan presented by administrators.  Readers have most likely seen the video depicted in the placard a student holds in the photo above.  The video showed campus police in full-fledged riot gear taking a stance similar to those seen in violent demonstrations in many countries earlier this year.  When two of the officers leaned down and used full-strength pepper spray aimed at the faces of several students sitting peacefully on the sidewalk, it defied any form of defense later offered by UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza who told reporters Saturday that the decision to use the pepper spray was made at the scene.  Is that supposed to explain an unwarranted violent action against demonstrators who  quietly sat on the ground with no defense?

The two officers who used pepper spray were placed on administrative leave with pay following the backlash from the video that blasted across the world.  Finally, the administration placed the police chief on leave Monday.  The number of officers that arrived at Friday's demonstration made it appear that they expected extreme violence at the scene, although no evidence of that existed there.

Yesterday, over a thousand protesters erected an encampment after UCD"s Chancellor, Linda Katehi's attempt to apologize was met with boos and cries of outrage.  At best, the chancellor is sadly out of touch with student unrest on the campus, and, at worst, she has ignored the signs, thus allowing for the over-the-top campus police response.  Why did it take so long for her to issue an apology?  That should have occurred immediately with the kind of evidence available on video.

If anything, this abhorrent situation should shine a light on the need for restraint from both police and demonstrators.  Students are facing a world awash with economic concerns and dim job prospects. When politicians like Newt Gingrich say, "Get a job!", it trivializes a movement that reflects the anger in our society.  No simple answers exist to place our country on a positive track and sound bite rhetoric does nothing to help, so stifle your stupidity, Newt!  America needs a thoughtful dialogue absent the political grandstanding.  Ham on Wry doesn't see much hope of that happening with the current offering of candidates.