Last week, in California, the United Auto Workers called for a system-wide strike against the University of California against what the union claims are the system’s “unfair labor practices.”
On Wednesday, the UAW and its allies took to the streets at UC Santa Cruz and, according to the left-leaning Santa Cruz IMC, approximately 20 people were arrested, six of whom were UAW members “and the rest include undergraduate students.”
Reports on the reasons for the arrests differ, as well as the tactics used.
According to City on a Hill’s Twitter feed, “sources” say that the police used tasers.
Later, according to the Twitter feed, the allegation was denied by the
Access to campus blocked by UAW strike. Source says atleast two arrests have been made at the west entrance. #strike
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Police present at atleast west entrance and Empire Grade lower intersection. A dozen or so people have been restrained according to sources.
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
About 20 people arrested for blocking the road this morning. Police are blocking entrances at the base of campus.
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Police forcibly open west entrance and are diverting traffic up Empire Grade. Picketers remain despite about 20 arrests earlier this morning
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Protestors block main entrances at base of campus. Traffic being diverted through Western to west entrance. #UAW pic.twitter.com/USmT1aabav
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Sources say most of the people arrested this morning were undergraduate students. Police forcibly opened the west entrance, used tasers.
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Despite sources reporting the use of tasers on protesters, UCSC Police Chief Nader Oweis said UC officers are not equipped with tasers.
— City on a Hill Press (@cityonahill) April 2, 2014
Updates to come.
