Occupation Berkeley

Occupy protesters at Berkeley vote to strike

Mercury News,

11 November, 2011

BERKELEY, Calif.—Occupy protesters at the University of California, Berkeley are calling on students to walk out of classes as part of a general strike in opposition to cuts in higher education.

A group of protesters who met on Thursday evening in the campus's Sproul Plaza voted in favor of the strike. The strike is planned for Tuesday, and protesters are encouraging teachers and graduate students to join them.

The decision came after demonstrators trying to set up an encampment on campus twice clashed with authorities on Wednesday. Thirty-nine protesters were taken into custody.

Authorities made an additional arrest on Thursday after an activist pitched a tent. The protesters have voted not to try to erect tents for now.

Some protesters have accused authorities of using excessive force. UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau says the campus's Police Review Board will investigate the allegations.