Professors at the University of Puerto Rico have called a 24-hour strike in support of student activists who have been subjected to harsh discipline by university officials and police.
Students at UPR have been engaging in actions for a year in opposition to tuition hikes, and the university has moved in recent months to squelch the protests. This week a judge lifted a ban on demonstrations on campus and re-instated a suspended student leader, but new clashes with police followed. Yesterday police “indiscriminately” beat activists with batons in an incident that ended in 21 student arrests.
More info and photos at the Occupy CA blog.
Update | In a strongly-worded editorial, the Puerto Rico Daily Sun is calling on Puerto Rico’s governor to end the police occupation of the UPR campus. Key quote:
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February 16, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Diego Corral
The worst part is the government just passed legislation that bans protests at public buildings and protests that hinder the government’s ability to provide education and health services. Under these terms public school teachers cannot strike because they would prevent the government from providing education. It also does not specify whether there will be a public forum for these people to voice complaints. Puerto Rico is steadily moving towards a police state where government rules by decree.