Today, I watched a police officer pepper spray a chain of college students sitting with arm-in-arm. I watched a police officer calmly step over the chain of students with his pepper spray. I saw him take aim at their bowed heads and unleash a cloud of burning pepper spray directly into their faces.
Is this what democracy looks like?
Are these the violent protesters that needed to be subdued?
I am sitting here in disbelief. I am disgusted.
Two officers have been placed on leave and the Chancellor has created a task force to look into the event.
All of this seems too little too late. Two students were hospitalized and 11 others were treated at the scene for injuries relating the pepper spray. All of the actions of violence and aggression were taken by police in riot gear.
I find it hard to believe a peaceful solution could not be reached. Even if it meant physically removing the protester if they were blocking a public walkway. Just pick them up and separate them. They might have bumps and scratches but no burning pepper spray in the face and no hospitalization.
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. John F. Kennedy
This is a dangerous road we’re heading down and the destinations are terrifying.