UCI – November 24

IRVINE – Students at UC Irvine are rallying at their main administration building. According to the facebook event, over 2,100 people are attending (it should be noted that facebook is typically inaccurate). Reports from on the ground will periodically be updated. Here are the event details at occupyUCI:

The UC has voted to raise tuition by 32%! Students were brutally assaulted at UCLA for using their right of freedom of speech! Cuts are coming from the bottom not the top, while the administrators are getting raises workers are getting fired and student class sizes get larger. It is time that we as students come together in solidarity to tell the UC it’s our UC!!!

Come out and hear stories from those affected and find out what we can do from here! Please invite at least 10 others. This is our time in history will we live up to the responsibility?

We stress that this is a peaceful rally, however, we as citizens of the United States can and will exercise of First amendment Rights of free speech!

Updates:

12:33pm – Riot cops surrounding UCI admin hall to keep out students

12:45pm – Several hundred students are marching around campus, going through classes garnering support.

12:50pm – Approximately 500 students walking out!

1:00pm – 10 police officers in riot gear are following the students rallying support/marching through out campus

1:12pm – close to 1000 people are now outside UCI’s main administration building

1:14pm – hundreds of students are still marching around campus clearing out lectures!

1:22pm – riot police have barricades outside Aldrich Hall (administration building). Students are trying to get in.

1:24pm – riot police appear to have tazers.

1:25pm – students chanting, “We want Drake!” (the chancellor of UCI). No reports of tazer use.

1:29pm – police are carrying handguns!

1:48pm – students are being pepper sprayed. The building is on lockdown, no one can enter.

2:10pm – 2 students were let in to speak with administrators. At least two students have been pepper sprayed. The building is still locked down. Students are chanting, “whose university?! Our university!”

2:14pm – No meeting is held. The chancellor promises to hold a meeting, but will not state when.

2:31pm – According to one source, numbers have reduced. Another source states that a graduate student has been dragged away from the premises. (note: contact with on the ground source has stopped… updates will be posted as they come)

The OC Register is saying there were 300 students protesting.

Here are videos from gmangoman, one & the other .

One student was arrested. Students outside responded by shouting, “free John!”