Kieran Lawrence looks at autonomous weapons and the effect they could have on modern warfare
Continuing a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Angela Merkel
Ben Bland examines the fallout from the Iowa caucuses and looks forward to the New Hampshire primaries.
In the first of a series on world leaders, Miles Deverson takes a look at Nicholas Sarkozy
As public sector cuts become the focus of the British public eye, the Occupy Wall Street campaign is heating up here in the U.S. Even university students are jumping on the bandwagon.
Through my study abroad at the University of California at Davis (about 20 minutes from the state capital of Sacramento) I have witnessed a powerful rising of the student conscience. If you haven’t already heard, UC Davis has kind of made major news in the U.S. It’s all about a rise in tuition fees, and yet, it seems to mean so much more now.
Peppergate
So here’s the situation. A small group of students decided to occupy our quad (massive field/park in the centre of campus) by erecting tents on November 17th and 18th. In protest of the 81% tuition fee increase proposed by University of California regents, these students broke the ‘no-camping- on- campus’ policy in an effort to get their voices heard. As campus police attempted to remove these students from the premises, many protesters prevented them by sitting peacefully on the pavement. While the origin of the following action is yet to be officially released (a commission is in process), the following video shows police officer Lieutenant John Pike spraying protesters point blank with pepper spray.
WARNING: This video contains violent scenes and may cause distress. Viewer discretion is advised.
Peppergate sparked a whirlwind of controversy. It drew large attention to the handling of peaceful student protests by the Chancellor, Linda Katehi, with many still calling for her immediate resignation. Culminating into multiple rallies and subsequent protests, the Quad is now filled with double the amount of occupiers, symbols of peace, and a massive dome providing a centerfold and stage for those to express their opinions. The explosion of political debate has pretty much taken over UC Davis in the past few weeks, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Even the faculty has involved themselves, for they too are affected by the cuts. ‘Teach-ins’ or organized lectures by the professors of the social sciences have tried to place the recent events into context.
I recall my experience at the peak of these rallies on Monday the 28th of November, where faculty and students took part in a University-wide general strike. As the news cameras rolled in, I could not help but view the unfolding events in awe (another way of me saying that I tried to get on TV).
28th November, 2011. University of California, Davis.
On the day of General strikes at UC Davis, I am sitting in our Memorial Union amongst violinists, hippies, news reporters, and something called a ‘meditation station.’ In addition to your average plethora of every day students making their way to lectures, the campus is a hotspot of drama. It really is a media frenzy out here. The Quad is full of news teams; Fox, CNBC, ABC, as well as all the local stations. As a backdrop, the Californian sun shines upon the students of UC Davis. The peaceful means in which they protest is truly remarkable. If you’re studying for final exams, or just getting a cup of coffee, you can’t help but notice the building atmosphere. Perhaps the pepper-spray incident had to happen, if only to spark this kind of communal protest. As the American flag flutters above the central dome, dozens of students invite passing students and members of the regular community to discuss the implications of recent events within the Occupy movement.
Many are asking: “Should Chancellor Katehi resign? How can she stay after allowing such police brutality against her students? Will the regents listen and implement a fairer tuition policy?”
They have a saying here in Northern California to describe something that is of a considerably good or large effect. They say something is ‘hella good’, or hella important. As I crossed the quad that day, moving through masses of chanting students, I noticed graffiti style posters labeled – ‘Hella Occupy.’ I think that pretty much sums up the feeling amongst students this week.
What we as British students can learn from UC Davis
It is great to see the public sector strikes having an effect at home. Despite their damaging consequences for businesses and the British economic reputation, the success of peaceful protest is an inherent right of being British, in the same way it is in being American.
As a history major, I often see how the social movements of a time period deeply impact political decisions, and vice versa. Through the study of the civil rights and student movements in my U.S. 1960’s course, the most successful method of protest is through ‘heightening the contradiction.’ In other words, damage the ‘oppressor’s’ ethics and morality and you emphasize yourself as a symbol of peace. The pepper spray victims essentially became pseudo-martyrs on November 18th, drawing far more attention to their views than could ever be imagined.
Alas, I leave you with a lingering thought: In our day and age, is peaceful protest still the best method to get our voices heard? (Trust me it is not a trick question).
Get your voice heard, it’s your right.
You must log in to submit a comment.
