College president defends pepper spray against 'unlawful' crowd

[n2doc]

Santa Monica College officials said Wednesday a police officer was forced to release pepper spray to maintain safety after a large crowd of students tried to force entry into a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

The incident at Tuesday’s board meeting resulted in three people being transported to hospitals for treatment and released and 15 to 30 people treated at the scene by fire department paramedics. No arrests were made.

In a statement, President Chui L. Tsang said police officers exercised restraint even though a segment of students had acted in a unlawful manner, including setting off fire alarms and attempting to disrupt the meeting.

"Santa Monica College regrets that a group of people chose to disrupt a public meeting in an unlawful manner," said Tsang. "The college has launched a full investigation into the matter."


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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/students-unlawful-pepper-spray-santa-monica-college-president.html

[BlueIris]

1. "I'm sorry...that you feel that way."

It's a classic. Among losers.

[indepat]

2. Civil disobedience, no matter how innocuous, peaceful, and placid, seems not to be tolerated in a

burgeoning national security state: that the people need not bother protesting big brother and do so at grave personal peril seems to be the loud and clear message officials are proclaiming throughout the land.

[n2doc]

3. kick n/t