It was so sad to watch.
I was sitting in the EOC at UC Davis, watching the protests on TV. This is common practice - the media provides great coverage; intelligence faster than we can get it ourselves.
The students had been marching around campus, pulling fire alarms everywhere. Our fire department and alarm techs were trying to keep up. They blocked the student-run bus service on campus. They staged a 'sit-in' at one of the popular intersections.
Then they headed for Interstate 80.
We watched live what you can see on video.
The law enforcement officers set up a skirmish line at the freeway entrance and used a loudspeaker, trying to stop a line of students who were using bicycles as shields. This is what they said:
"We are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the people of California safe. Please do your protests where you are."
"We got your message. We don't want any confrontation. It doesn't have to turn ugly and I am encouraging you, each and every one of you, not to engage with the police."
"Hey, guys. I'm willing to talk to anyone who wants to talk to me. If anyone wants to take responsibility, please come up and talk to me. I'd appreciate that."
Nobody is against the protests. The administration is as frustrated as the students are about the budget situation. Nobody wants the students to get hurt; but nobody wants these protests to be disrespectful and unruly.
If you read the blogs and comments, there are more students irritated and upset by the disruptions than not. Some 200 students kept many times that many from sitting in class, riding the bus, taking midterms.
There were rallys and protests across the country from Kindergarten through University. There were rallys and confrontations throughout California.
This one was different; this was my campus.
It was just so sad.
Top
I was sitting in the EOC at UC Davis, watching the protests on TV. This is common practice - the media provides great coverage; intelligence faster than we can get it ourselves.
The students had been marching around campus, pulling fire alarms everywhere. Our fire department and alarm techs were trying to keep up. They blocked the student-run bus service on campus. They staged a 'sit-in' at one of the popular intersections.
Then they headed for Interstate 80.
We watched live what you can see on video.
The law enforcement officers set up a skirmish line at the freeway entrance and used a loudspeaker, trying to stop a line of students who were using bicycles as shields. This is what they said:
"We are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the people of California safe. Please do your protests where you are."
"We got your message. We don't want any confrontation. It doesn't have to turn ugly and I am encouraging you, each and every one of you, not to engage with the police."
"Hey, guys. I'm willing to talk to anyone who wants to talk to me. If anyone wants to take responsibility, please come up and talk to me. I'd appreciate that."
Nobody is against the protests. The administration is as frustrated as the students are about the budget situation. Nobody wants the students to get hurt; but nobody wants these protests to be disrespectful and unruly.
If you read the blogs and comments, there are more students irritated and upset by the disruptions than not. Some 200 students kept many times that many from sitting in class, riding the bus, taking midterms.
There were rallys and protests across the country from Kindergarten through University. There were rallys and confrontations throughout California.
This one was different; this was my campus.
It was just so sad.
