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Earlier, police used truncheons against peacefully protesting UC Berkeley students. OWS ones are attacked nationwide with tear gas, pepper spray, mace, rubber bullets, batons, and other brutal methods. Thousands of arrests were made.
In full riot gear, dozens of police terrorized UC Davis students, threatening them with truncheons and paintball guns after pepper-spraying them directly in the face twice.
On November 17, about 100 students set up 40 tents to camp out on campus overnight. The next day, chancellor Katehi ordered them out or face removal. By mid-afternoon, police goons moved in, throwing protesters to the ground violently. Injuries resulted. Arrests followed. Students vowed to continue protesting for justice.
On November 21, thousands joined them supportively. On November 28, UC Regents will approve more draconian increases, putting higher education out of reach for many more California students. As a result, class boycotts were called.
UC Davis students also demanded Katehi resign. She refused, saying she feels "horrible" about what happened, then dismissively called for "all of the community to come together."
OWS protests across America turned streets, parks, and other public areas into war zones. Social justice protesters on campus face similar challenges. Federal, state, local and school administrations are hostile and dismissive. Cops are unleashed to commit violence.
Wealth and power alone in America matter. Democracy never had a chance. The mother of all struggles continues for what students, working households, and others can only achieve by staying the course long-term and not backing off, despite brutal cops on the wrong side confronting them.
At issue is fighting for what's right until it's won, including affordable higher education for qualified students wanting it.
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