UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, just back from an weeklong trip abroad, has reviewed the video of last week’s police brutality on campus and declared them “very disturbing” and “unworthy of us as a university community.” He has further declared that

“We can best move forward by granting amnesty from action under the Student Code of Conduct to all Berkeley students who were arrested and cited solely for attempting to block the police in removing the Occupy Cal encampment on Wednesday, Nov. 9. We will do so immediately.”

While this sounds like good news, it raises a number of questions. First, and most pressing, is whether the criminal charges against those arrested last week will go forward. Second is how many of those cited were cited “solely for attempting to block the police in removing the Occupy Cal encampment.” And third is whether this marks a change in policy or just a tactical retreat.

More soon.