Event: Authorization to Remove Occupy UC Davis Protesters

On November 10, 2011, Linda Katehi, the Chancellor of the University of California, Davis, authorized campus police to remove student protesters from an Occupy UC Davis encampment. This decision was part of a series of events leading to the highly publicized pepper spray incident on November 18, 2011.

Context

The Occupy UC Davis protests were inspired by the broader Occupy Wall Street movement that began in September 2011. The protests focused on issues such as rising student tuition, income inequality, and corporate influence over politics. Within this context, students at UC Davis established a peaceful encampment on the university grounds.

Key Events Leading to the Authorization

• Prior to November 10, UC Davis administrators and the police had discussed methods to address the encampments, which they viewed as non-compliant with university regulations.
• The administration issued orders for the removal of tents and discouraged prolonged sit-ins, citing safety concerns and campus regulations that prohibited overnight stays or structures on university property.

The Decision and Aftermath

• After an internal meeting with UC Davis administrators and campus police, Chancellor Linda Katehi gave the official authorization to clear the protesters’ encampment.
• This decision set the stage for the later controversial actions by the campus police on November 18, when officers employed pepper spray directly on seated, non-violent students during a subsequent protest.

Historical Significance

• The incident resulted in widespread criticism and raised questions about police accountability, the appropriate response to peaceful protests, and the administrative decisions within academic institutions.
• The aftermath was significant, leading to multiple investigations into the actions taken on November 18, and a national dialogue regarding freedom of speech and the policing of protests.
• Chancellor Katehi faced calls for resignation and issued multiple public apologies, acknowledging the heavy-handedness of the police response that followed her initial authorization.