BERKELEY, Calif. — Tensions are high between students and the University of California Police Department (UCPD) following student protests concerning an 8 percent fee increase. In two controversial incidents, police used pepper spray and an officer drew his service weapon when confronting students at the UC Berkeley.
On Nov. 18, two student activists from the school were detained and then release by UCPD after they posted fliers in an undesignated area. Another activist was charged with a rules violation for throwing fliers outside of California Hall, The Daily Californian reports.
Student protesters claim that officers are removing posters from designated areas – one such poster read “Pay Your Fees or I’ll Shoot You” and had a depiction of an officer pointing his weapon at protestors.
UCPD Lt. Alex Yao told the news source that officers would continue to enforce school regulations. He did not say whether officers had removed any posters from designated areas.
