Anti-War Protestors Occupy Administration Building at UC Berkeley

Anti-War Protestors Occupy Administration Building at UC Berkeley
Berkeley CA
3/20/03
Marc Buchalter

In a demonstration reminiscent of the early 70's Berkeley Students added their voice to that of Millions of demonstrators world wide as the US led an unprovoked attack against Iraq today.

Approximately 2000 students gathered in Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley Campus to hear Faculty and Students speak out against the war of aggression perpetrated by the United States on Iraq in defiance of world opinion and the United Nations Security Council.

The rally started at Noon and climaxed when approximately 200 students occupied the lobby of Sproul Hall around 1:00.

There was a brief scuffle at the door way then it appeared that University Police were ejected from the Building. The students were committed to non violence and sat in the Lobby while supporters outside cheered them on.

Students announced three demands: one, to establish Baghdad University as a “Sister Campus”; two, that the University would not cooperate with the “Homeland Security Agency”; and three, the university would not subsidize the cost of war with a Tuition hike.

A little before 3:00 PM the Vice Chancellor for Administration, Horace Mitchell, addressed the students. He said he appreciated the commitment to Non-violence and understood that they intended to be arrested. He hoped that they would adhere to their commitment.

Smehal Shingavi, a PhD candidate in English tried to engage the Vice Chancellor in a negotiation on the Students demands. But the Vice Chancellor demurred claiming that he did not have the authority. Then he walked away and the UC Police took over.

Then Lt. Jim West of the University Police warned the students to leave or they would be arrested. He stated that they were interfering with the lawful business of the University. Police then approached each student in turn and asked if they would leave. Those that were willing to be arrested and walk out under their own power were escorted out of the room. However, some students refused to cooperate and were subjected to pain holds in an attempt to force them to walk out under their own power. While these students winced with pain their supporters chanted “Shame, Shame” and “The World is watching” In all cases I observed these students ended up being carried or drug out of the room by UC Police. There were no cases where protestors exhibited any violence.

The students were taken to a hall way behind the lobby. There the University demonstrated considerable efficiency and experience in arresting protestors. The Police set up a assembly line citation mill students were identified, cited photographed and released in a matter of minutes. Lt. Pat Caroll of the UC Police estimated that there were between 100 and 119 students arrested. All were cited and released.