As De Anza College’s Occupy for Education movement continues, students must seek to understand the college’s policies regarding civil disobedience.
“There isn’t an actual policy that addresses ‘civil disobedience’ per se,” said Police Chief Ron Levine.
Reading the enacted Board Policy 5550 and Administrative Procedure 5550.1, it is clear to see why. The words “civil,” “disobedience,” “demonstration,” or “protests” are nowhere to be found within the documents.
After reviewing the documents myself I can agree that on paper the policies do reveal a standard, yet appropriate response: we have no precedent for violence in demonstrations here on campus, so those in charge show they feel no need for a specific policy regarding it.
What would this mean for De Anza’s Occupy for Education movement?
“As long as the students follow the guidelines set forth in Board Policy and do not violate any laws (e.g. assault & battery, etc.), the ‘demonstration’ is deemed legal and will be permitted to continue,” Levine said via email.
This gives the sense that if demonstrators refrain from violent action, no violent action should be taken upon them. However, the Board policy is vague at best in describing the guidelines that those deemed as demonstrators should follow.
While no incidents have occurred at De Anza thus far, the recent events at UC Davis and other campuses bring up the question of how officers could have stepped over the line and used what is thought of as excessive force.
Now that anyone can do a quick YouTube search and watch clips of peaceful protesters receiving pepper spray to the face, one is left wondering who on UC Davis’ campus allowed this to happen?
Could such an event occur at De Anza? Would Chancellor Linda Thor react in the same way as UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi?
Though I don’t feel we have anything to worry about so far, it would be in the best interests of the college to formulate a clear policy regarding civil disobedience and make it available to all students.
Please educate yourself on the new documents here: http://fhdafiles.fhda.edu/downloads/aboutfhda/5550.pdf and here: http://fhdafiles.fhda.edu/downloads/aboutfhda/5550.1ap.pdf
