Students at Santa Monica College angry over pricey courses pepper-sprayed

Authorities reported that as many as 30 student demonstrators at Santa Monica College were pepper-sprayed by campus police after trying to push their way into a trustees meeting because they were angry over a plan to offer high-priced courses. Video posted on the Internet on Tuesday evening illustrated students chanting, “Let us in, let us in,” and “No cuts, no fees, education should be free.” The courses are reportedly aimed four times higher than the current price. David Steinman, an environmental advocate who is running for Congress as a Green Party candidate, reported that two officers were apparently backed up against a wall, and began using force to keep the students from the room. Steinman said both officers used pepper spray. “People were gasping and choking,” Steinman reported.

Bruce Smith, a Santa Monica College spokesman, said he believed it was the first time pepper spray had been used to subdue students on campus. Smith said, “It was the judgment of police that the crowd was getting out of hand and it was a safety issue.” Trustee David Finkel said, “I think it gave the college a black eye which I know it didn’t deserve and certainly didn’t need.” Five people were evaluated by firefighters and two were taken to the hospital, according to Santa Monica Fire Department Captain Judah Mitchell. A similar incident occurred at UC Davis in November, when an officer pepper-sprayed a row of student protestors as they sat passively, which drew worldwide attention and became a rallying point for the Occupy movement.