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In light of the 32% increase in UC student fees, protests have erupted on at least four of the UC campuses. While these protests have been peaceful, they haven’t been without incident, and many students have been arrested for occupying buildings.

Personally, I stand for those who protest, and I really hope all of this continues to escalate. Whether or not it will, I cannot say, but I do believe the students and faculty who protest are entirely just. Raising the costs so drastically defeats the purpose public higher education, which is meant to be cheap and accessible. For years, the UC system has been a leveling-ground of sorts, where no matter what financial background you came from, you at least had a shot of becoming something. I believe protests should not only occur on campuses, but also at Sacramento where our state legislature has failed us.

So far, four campuses have running protests on them: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, and UC Santa Cruz. Here’s what each campus has been doing:

UC Berkeley

Living true to their famous history, UC Berkeley has taken an active seat in the protests. Cal students took over a lecture hall on campus, and large crowds amassed outside the hall. The protesters inside demanded, amongst other things, that 38 janitors who lost their jobs due to cutbacks be brought back.

Eventually, campus police and local sheriffs entered the building and the students were arrested. Many will be charged with trespassing. Source >

UCLA

The actual meeting of the UC regents to raise fees took place at UCLA, and so massive protests occurred there as well. A ring was formed around the meeting place, and the police had to try to break through to escort the regents to safety. This YouTube video shows the scene well. Two students were tasered by police.

Later, UCLA students also occupied a building on campus. Source >

UC Davis

UC Davis protesters occupied Mrak Hall, an administration building on campus. Students in the building after the closing time of 5 PM were asked repeatedly to leave, and when they refused, riot police came in and arrested 50 of them for trespassing.

Supposedly, campus protesters already have a lawyer. Source >

UC Santa Cruz

Students at UCSC have taken over Kerr Hall, the main administrative building. There, they have held rallies where faculty and students have voiced out about the effects of the raised student fees and the budget cutbacks. Source >

Currently, there have been no arrests, but David Kliger, the head of business affairs here, has clearly hinted that they might be on the way.

There have also been several other gatherings on campus to protest against the increases.

What’s your opinion on this situation and on the protests that have been going on?

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