Let them eat pepper

Toni Lucas

This week, through the use of technology, I have witnessed a truly despicable display of abused power on the campus of Davis University of California.  For the few that have not seen it, students at that campus were sitting, arms linked, protesting higher student fees as part of the "Occupy" movement.  Sitting is not one of the more threatening stances a human being can assume.  A single officer walked along the line of students, spraying these young adults with pepper spray in the face.  And back again when they did not scatter.  He sprayed them slowly with about the same speed and as dispassionately as I have seen gardeners spray chemicals on their plants.  Although somewhat louder, the students put up about as much fight as a rhododendron would, but not as much as a rose bush that might prick back.


Were these young adults were a violent threat to the police? Is flinching from a police officer or covering your face when being pepper-sprayed really resisting arrest?  I have a simple observation for you. Spray a dandelion with enough toxic chemicals, it will curl up too.  Grab most people, with the intent of dragging them bodily away, they will at least flinch.

Megyn Kelly of Fox News defended the role of police, pointing out that pepper spray "is a food product, essentially."  So he was treating the students to lunch?  Fox loudmouth Bill O'Rielly said "I don't think we have the right to Monday-morning quarterback the police."  I disagree.  People do have the "right" to come to their own judgement.  Just like these young adults in the United States have the right to freedom of speech, and to assemble in peaceful demonstration, according to the U.S. constitution.    I wonder if the story and opinions would be different if it was the press that was being sprayed.  

The footage of the pepper-spraying incident shocked me.  The right-wing spin on it has left me appalled.  I am not alone in this, judging by the meme activity on the Internet.  The level of violence is so unwarranted, so disproportionate to what the police were facing, it was disgusting, and highlights the flagrant disregard of the protestors' rights.

In January of this year, President Obama said "I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters.
The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. And the United States will stand up for them everywhere...
At the same time, those protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully. Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms that they seek."

Thank you for those noble sentiments, President Obama.  Easier to say, when the unrest is not being demonstrated by your citizens, on your own soil.  If you simply re-issue that same document substituting the words "United States of America", it would save time.  If you remain silent now, how strong is your message, Mr. Obama?

It has been over two months since the Occupy Wall Street Movement originated.  Over a month since it spread to the rest of the world. Close to a month since Scott Olsen, the Marine veteran, was hit in the head with a tear-gas canister.  Instead of the fast and self-righteous admonishment that Egypt received, there has been an ominous silence from America's highest post as the violence towards these protesters has escalated.

As for the Occupy Movement in its many forms, it has been stalled and stamped down, lassoed by loopholes and public health concerns.  It has been laughed at, fined, shot at, sprayed with chemicals, stamped out, and suppressed.    Will the President stand up for the rights and freedoms he was willing to defend halfway around the world, on behalf of a different country now that it is in his backyard?

The issues occupy addresses are not new.  Pollution, health, privacy, food, education, accountability.  Citizens were asking questions about all of these issues in the 1970s, and in some cases in the 1920s.  The public has been given smoke screens and hand-pats in the time since.

The evidence is that the many of the issues now coming to a head are part of a rigged game, a crooked wheel.  This is not news to most people.  Innocent belief in the rule of democratic process has transformed into a jaded belief that back-room deals rule the day.

For decades I have watched the shell game, recognizing I have little in the way of money, power or influence.  If I dug hard enough I could find answers that often disturbed and upset me.  Never look at the man behind the curtain, please.

I think that the tacit message President Obama has sent up to this point is "let them eat pepper."