4/18: Possibly as many as 80 participants in the Tent University protest and teach-in at UCSC were arrested this evening by university police. Information on the arrests has not yet been released by UCSC police or the Santa Cruz Sheriff, but according to reports on
Santa Cruz Indymedia, arrestees were dragged by police and subjected to pain compliance. With a large crowd gathered and an increasing presence of cameras documenting the police brutality, university authorities eventually made a concessionary deal with organizers allowing a small number of participants to camp on the field, according to reports on
Free Radio Santa Cruz. The arrestees were transported to the Santa Cruz county jail, where a large crowd was gathered in support as of 1:30 a.m. 4/19.
Inspired by the original
Tent State University in
New Jersey symbolizing the displacement of higher education, UCSC students organized Tent University Santa Cruz (
TUSC) in response to the budgetary injustice facing California's education system. TUSC, described as the largest political gathering in the recent history of UCSC, will address the ongoing workers' struggle, the anti-war movement, the walk-out to defend public education on April 20, and the racial justice movement, according to organizers. A few days ago, the University posted "No camping" signs and warned organizers that its no-sleeping policy would be strictly enforced.
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