Our Children's Backpacks Have Become Protective Shields
Moved by the events that began on UC Berkeley campus on November 9, 2011, I was compelled to speak out as a student, community member, woman and most of all: a mother. Our children's backpacks were used as shields the other day, from violence enacted upon them by the institution that we support. How dare you UC Berkeley. I hold fond memories of backpack shopping with my children years ago. They scanned each bag with utmost concentration deciding which of the characters they wanted to be: Little Mermaid,Toy Story or Pokemon? With visions of the grandiose, they selected their backpack and wore it with pride, even if all it would contain was paper because they were too young to read. They dreamed of making me proud and going off to college. As they grew, characters were replaced with brands until I finally packed that backpack one last time with love before I entrusted my child to you. Did you take advantage because you thought I was not near? Did you think that you could confuse me through media? That you could say it was 'those' kids and not my child? They are all my children. I was watching and now I am speaking.
What parent could stand aside as the burly, riot protected officers grabbed their daughters hair? The very hair a caring mother spent years combing and braiding for her daughter, now being used as a handle to drag her across the ground. What father could stand by and witness officers jabbing the vital organs of their child? I would argue that most parents would not have slept knowing that the very children that they sacrificed so much for to make it to UC Berkeley, were cornered and violently surprise attacked by the powers that be, but also the powers that they pay for. I could not. I was watching and now I am speaking.
Who can digest the Facebook photo of a UC Berkeley police officer cuddling her own newborn at home, while beating another's child with a baton? How dare you officer. Together as parents we must condemn the use of violence by police on the UC Berkeley campus. I urge all mothers and fathers of the community to be present 11/15/11, to bear witness to the events and to step forward and vocalize our discontent and if necessary, to prevent such violence against our youth from happening again. Enter the arena and speak truth to power.
Just a few years ago, many of these students were the valedictorians we were honored to have represent our high schools, student leadership, community service, mentors, tutors, our Little League stars, high school athletes and our exceptional youth who made it to UC Berkeley. Admissions officers selected from among the top applicants in the world.
The UC administration along with the police tried to alter the view of these exceptional students, by shifting the blame to the students for the actions on November 9 in which, students were abused, degraded and humiliated by police officers.
Students converse with police officers throughout the day
What began as a slow day on campus ended in a day of infamy. I brought my two young daughters with me to campus. They spent the morning photographing squirrels and playing in the grass. As the rally began, they grabbed signs and joined in. My 13 year old wore a camera around her neck and weaved in and out of the crowd snapping moments in time. They received hugs from students they admired and even marched in the streets alongside us. My mini-photographer felt worthy to join the ranks of the professional news reporters, and she was right there with them. Officers on the periphery teased them from time to time and chased them off the balconies. As it grew later, there was tension in the air. Focus turned from protestors to the police presence.
Late afternoon, I saw a small group of UC Berkeley students cornered in the grass with a few pup tents behind them, as the police force stood watchful guard. The youth held hands in front of the tent and the UC Berkeley police postured, perched above them as they stood on the steps of Sproul Hall.
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Leaving my class later that night, I was in ear shot of the chants "we need more people" and my heart began to pound from the distressed calls of youth. Like anyone else, I could have simply walked passed the events unrolling on Sproul Plaza but I felt compelled to investigate the calls for help.
My daughters overheard the possibility of tear gas and relayed that to me. I paused a moment, lowered my head and began fighting back tears in disbelief that I was having this conversation and living this moment. My daughter mounted the light pole and continued her documentation of the days events. We would remain as witnesses, voices and myself a human shield if necessary. There are now directions on #occupycal for creating homemade gas masks. Is this really the activity that our campus community has created for us?
My daughters overheard the possibility of tear gas and relayed that to me. I paused a moment, lowered my head and began fighting back tears in disbelief that I was having this conversation and living this moment. My daughter mounted the light pole and continued her documentation of the days events. We would remain as witnesses, voices and myself a human shield if necessary. There are now directions on #occupycal for creating homemade gas masks. Is this really the activity that our campus community has created for us?
Photo 1 Photo 2
Officers were in riot gear and assembled on Sproul Hall stairs (photo 1). Officers came from Upper Sproul shining light flashes at the crowd, many of whom turned. Suddenly, as if from a movie, a large, solidified, shielded Alameda County Sheriff's force clad in riot gear, came from behind Sproul Hall (photo 2) and took the students by surprise, from behind. Alameda County Sheriff clubbed people even after physically removing the few tents. They did not only abuse those holding hands in non-violence, but they targeted bystanders, witnesses and professors.
Officers were in riot gear and assembled on Sproul Hall stairs (photo 1). Officers came from Upper Sproul shining light flashes at the crowd, many of whom turned. Suddenly, as if from a movie, a large, solidified, shielded Alameda County Sheriff's force clad in riot gear, came from behind Sproul Hall (photo 2) and took the students by surprise, from behind. Alameda County Sheriff clubbed people even after physically removing the few tents. They did not only abuse those holding hands in non-violence, but they targeted bystanders, witnesses and professors.
Step by step the officers moved forward toward the crowd with their batons across their chest. Again with no announcement or escape path, they advanced and the crowd moved back. Having just received an email from Chancellor Birgeneau that we could be on Sproul 24/7, the audience seemed confused by such action.
More police come from the other side to the stairs and begin pushing people back off the landing on Sproul. They took the steps and began bullying the crowd that gathered to witness. This went on for hours as they stood with their riot gear and their batons in hand as the crowd swelled with Berkeley students, media, community members, alumni, lawyers, professors and civil rights groups. An elderly lady peeked out the Sproul Hall entrance on a PA system directing us all to leave the area. More officers entered the area in riot gear, and stood on the stairs and the UC crowd swelled a level similar to the rally of earlier that day.
We chanted "the whole world is watching" and "whose university? our university!"
Together as a united group, we spoke truth to power.
The constraint, example and steadfastness of these youth was nothing short of admirable and we should all be proud.
I encourage you to join in the chant "whose children? our children!"
Reclaim UC
Student Petition For UC Leaders to resign
Chancellor's Letter to Community on Violence
Human Chain around White House Lawful on 11/6/11
UC Berkeley Instructors Condemn Police Violence
Berkeley City Council Member Condemns UCPD
One Student's Arrest Account
UCBPD Review Board Recommendations 2009
(not followed on 11/9/11)
UCB Crowd Management Policy
Capt.Margo Bennett Bio
November 9, 2011- "Day of Action" at UC Berkeley- a mix of abuse from UCBPD and Alameda County Sheriff's Dept and even the legendary Oakland Police Department was there. Slideshow also documents the "morning after" including a young father holding his infant being told by police that he is "endangering" his child by coming to Sproul Plaza! UCBPD continued stalking the area from behind bushes like predators and then the attack on the single,empty,symbolic tent on Sproul occured during a peaceful anti-nuclear lecture. The subsequent "keep off the grass" power struggle ensued as the bi-polar UCBPD forbid us to use the grass and within the hour, students are seen lounging on it as usual, with a visible police presence.
-.Photos courtesy of my 13 year old daughter with contributions at the end by my 12 year old daughter and myself.