Protesters of U of M College Closure Arrested (Minnesota)

[struggle4progress]

About ten students were arrested Wednesday after refusing to leave a University of Minnesota building where they were protesting a proposal to eliminate the university's General College.

A crowd of more than 100 rallied outside Morrill Hall as speakers supported the role of the college to help low-income and minority students get into the university.

Seven people began sitting in or near President Robert Bruininks' outer office in Morrill Hall about 10:15 yesterday morning and another ten to 12 reportedly sat or stood in the hall outside. Bruininks was not in his office.

Six of the seven in the president's office were arrested shortly after six p-m on trespassing charges, as were three or four others.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=96111

Nine arrested in Morrill Hall sit-in

Nine students were arrested Wednesday evening when they refused to leave the office of University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks during a protest of Bruininks' recommendation to close the university's General College.

"The building closes at 6 p.m., and they were asked to leave," said university spokesman Dan Wolter. "They refused to do that."

A small group of students began a sit-in in the lobby of Bruininks' office at Morrill Hall about 10 a.m., and larger groups held rallies in support of the protesters at noon and 5:30 p.m. Bruininks was not in his office during the day. <snip>

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/11565379.htm


U police arrest 9 at sit-in

<snip> Greg Hestness, University police chief and assistant vice president for the Department of Public Safety, said he “begged” the protestors to leave by 6 p.m. They refused but were cooperative with police, he said.

“It went very well,” he said. “It’s unfortunate it came down to (arrests).”

During the arrests, police sprayed mace at two protest supporters in the Church Street Garage. They were trying to see the arrested protesters, they said.

One of the supporters, Mike Wilklow, a political science senior, said police clubbed and kicked him. Several witnesses said they saw it happen. <snip>

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2005/05/05/64529


Students maced: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x15849

[truthisfreedom]

1. i know it's true. many Minneapolis police officers are thumpers.

it's happened too many times and been in the papers too many times... we need a force overhaul, and these guys need to do some time.

[SouthernDem2004]

2. What is a General College?

[geek tragedy]

3. Remedial curriculum for those not ready for the liberal arts college eom

[SouthernDem2004]

4. Ah, thanks