UCLA students rally in droves against the Taser incident

[pnwmom]

http://www.laist.com/archives/2006/11/17/ucla_students_demonstrate_against_ucpd_taser_use.php

There are a number of photos at the link -- it's encouraging to see all the concerned young faces.

"It’s beginning to feel a lot like a UC again on campus. For the first time this century, UCLA students threw down their books and returned to their activist roots by staging a major demonstration this afternoon. Students have been shocked and frustrated by the recent tasering of a UCLA student by UCPD officers at the student library, and it has grown to the point where many are feeling the need to voice their frustration to the masses. There have been many student demonstrations here in the past couple of years, but none on this scale.

"Students descended upon Kerchoff Hall in droves today at 12pm chanting against excessive force, and the need to police the police. Protest leaders demanded that an independent investigation take place instead of one by the campus authorities, and also that the officers in question be suspended during the investigation. Every major news outlet was there to witness the protests taking place."

SNIP

[texpatriot2004]

1. As well they should...good for them. nm

[AX10]

2. These students are patriots. The officers in question are cowards!

It's about time we saw some strong student activism on campus.

k and r

[Casablanca]

3. Excellent. An aroused, informed citizenry's quick response to bullying tactics. nt

[Clark2008]

4. Uh -oh. That last picture there might have the nanny-police

coming into tell us how wrong and it evil it is for women to choose to cover!

Sorry - I had to say that.

Thanks for the link.

[133724]

13. My mother was a Lutheran & she wore a veil

when she went to church......

[pnwmom]

17. Nothing short of a face veil bothers me.

Why would anyone complain about a head scarf?

But a burqua makes it look like you're hiding under a tablecloth and it must be hell to wear one.

[stevenstevensteven]

5. viral

What will be interesting to see is if this spreads to other college campuses. I'm sure there have been similar incidents on other college campuses, and this might be enough of a spark to incide widespread solidarity.

Quite frankly, if the population is going to push the Dems into rolling back the tyrannical policies of this current regime, the university campuses will be where it starts.

[tishaLA]

6. i was there

it was great. lots of students. but then, if you believe some threads, UCLA students are apathetic.....

[AwakeAtLast]

23. Good for you!

:yourock:

[Swamp Rat]

34. GOOD!

I was upset that the students didn't stop the tasering after the second attack by the torturers, but then again, I wasn't there. I am very glad the students have come out to protest.

:kick:

[datadiva]

7. This was so wrong

Even after they had him in handcuffs they still tasered him. I am glad the students are speaking out. They only question I have and I haven't seen answered is this. Was he the only student questioned about having an ID? If he was then he really has a good case against the officers. Racial profiling is NOT a good thing.

[tishaLA]

8. no....it's standard practice in the powell library

(the undergrad library) after 11 PM.

[pnwmom]

16. The article in the Daily Bruin said that it was a "random check."

That sounds a little curious to me. How do they assure that it's truly random?

[Buzz Clik]

30. I understand this is to avoid unsavory types hanging out...

But a 20-something working on a computer is not the typical profile for a homeless person looking for a place to crash for the night.

[K8-EEE]

9. U-C-L-A Fight Fight Fight!

Fight police brutality -- thank goodness for video & YouTube! OMG -- those psychotic freepers, most of them think it's "funny as hell" and are saying stuff like "I would have tasered him just for that NAME" etc...oh the good Xtians that they are.

[annabanana]

10. fantastic!

Of course it took the tasering of one of their own to get them going. . . but that's ok, as long as they're on the move.

(Hey! It looks like UCLA or something!)

[Iris]

11. Watch the video - it is sickening

http://www.laist.com/archives/2006/11/16/ucla_police_tasering_video_of_student_in_powell_library.php

Good for the students who are protesting AND the ones who tried to intervene in some way - you can hear them in the video asking for badge numbers and begging the officers to stop.

[Coexist]

12. Good for them!

[Cleita]

14. I love the sign for "military recruiters off campus".

So they are waking up. Wonderful.

[calimary]

27. YES!!! It's starting to look and feel like the good old days!

When the young wake up, they are loud, mighty, and unavoidable. Especially since many of them also realize their asses are on the line if this damned war and the aggressive foreign policy behind it is allowed to continue. Manning the front lines here so they don't have to do it over there.

[Cleita]

28. Also, young people are better able to take any physical abuse

that might be directed towards them while protesting. The bounce back quicker. UCLA students also have a health care plan if they end up with injuries.

[file83]

15. Now THAT'S the SPIRIT!!!! Good to see college students are still aware

of what is needed to fight this fascism: CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE.

Don't ever submit to this bullshit. EVER.

[jazzjunkysue]

18. Why does a college even own a taser? Who would they use it on?

The freshmen? Come on. This college has to fire a few dozen people, five away some profits to this class, give this kid a free education for life, and a salary, at the very least.

I'd like to see those men go to jail for assault.

[pnwmom]

19. Worse than that, they have an official Taser policy that

allows them to use it on passively resisting students.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2749696&mesg_id=2749696

[mondo joe]

24. The taser is in use for the campus police.

And I agree, they should be jailed for assault.

[Ms. Clio]

20. fantastic

good for them.

I hope that kid and his lawyer screw every possible penny out of this. Does anybody remember that guy who was tased in front of his kids at the Chuck E Cheese in Colorado because he was accused of not paying for the salad bar? The city reached an out of court settlement with him. I just wish none of those fucking torturers would ever work in "law enforcement" again, but I know that's too much to hope for.

[wildflowergardener]

21. OT: What Kind of Dog do you have?

Hi. Sorry to post off topic, but your dog looks alot like mine and I was curious if you know what mix he/she is? I'm not sure about mine - my guess is cocker spaniel/daschund - have wondered for awhile though.

Mine is all black, but otherwise looks that same.

Meg

[Ms. Clio]

22. She's an Australian Shepherd

purebred. I used to have a little dachsund mix, though, and she had similar facial markings.

[wildflowergardener]

29. Thanks

Thanks. I looked and my dog doesn't look like an Australian Shephard when I look at the picture of the breed at a different angle. It must just be the face cause I think they are alot bigger.

Here is danny (if I can figure out how to show a picture)

[Ms. Clio]

31. what a little cutie!

But I don't think he's an Aussie, since he does look small. Maybe part Pomeranian? Pekinese? He looks adorable.

[wildflowergardener]

32. I'm not sure

As I said I've been told Daschund/Cocker - speculation and he is kinda long. He's about 10 or so now and I wish I knew what he was because unfortunately he won't be around forever, and though he has a few faults, and the long hair is a pain he's very well behaved and sweet and I'd like another one just like him if I could figure out what he was. I think the Australian Shephard is much bigger. Danny is around 23 pounds. That face looks quite like his thought when he looks at me.

I once saw a "pet of the week" in the newspaper that looked just like him and called up and asked and they said it was dashund/cocker spaniel so I'm thinking that's it - just have always been kind of curious.

Meg

[Ms. Clio]

33. I felt the same way about my dachsund/? mix

really wished I could find another one just like her, she was such a unique little bundle of personality and love. She's been gone for nearly a year and I still miss her and was just thinking about going to the shelter and looking for a small adult dog when I found Nebi by the side of the road a few weeks ago. Yes, Aussies are much bigger, my little one was only about 15 pounds at her heaviest.

I was so thrilled I could capture "that look" although of course the general quality of the photo is not terribly high!

[AwakeAtLast]

25. I can't believe UCLA hasn't stated anything publicly yet

at least not something of any value. The "we're investigating" line won't work much longer. They need to fix this problem quick.

BTW, students on campus are faced with increasing brutality by the on campus police. A few years ago, an unarmed Ball State University (Muncie, IN) student was shot and killed. Can't remember what the excuse was, but I have every reason to believe that many campus police officers use much more power than they are supposed to have.

If you know a person living on a college campus, make sure they are aware of their rights and what campus police are allowed or not allowed to do!

[pnwmom]

26. Here's the latest:

http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=7525

UCLA Acting Chancellor Norman Abrams announced today that an independent investigation will be conducted of the incident in Powell Library in which a UCLA student was taken into custody by campus police.

"After careful deliberation, I have decided to accept the recommendation of Police Chief Karl Ross and my senior advisors to establish an independent investigation of this incident," Abrams said. "We have selected Merrick Bobb, who is widely recognized for his integrity and independence in such sensitive matters, to lead this investigation."

Abrams said Bobb is one of the nation's leading authorities on police conduct. He served as a staff attorney for the Christopher Commission, which examined Los Angeles Police Department policies, and also has served as an independent monitor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The UCPD also will continue its investigation, Abrams said.