The Socialist Party of California strongly condemns the behavior of the Santa Monica College campus police during Tuesday night’s student protest against proposed tuition hikes, and we stand arm in arm in solidarity with the students who suffered physical abuse as they exercised their right to peaceful assembly.
While this statement serves as a condemnation of the highest order against the actions of the Santa Monica College campus police, it is also a plea to the general public. We as citizens often sympathize with victims such as the students of Santa Monica College, and we might briefly discuss among friends, family and co-workers the abuse of power conducted by authorities with lethal and/or physically damaging weapons at their disposal. This is a big deal, folks. Water cooler talk is not enough.
We all understand the pressure and stress that law enforcement officials deal with on a daily basis. The resort to violence, however, is simply unacceptable. Any one of the students sprayed in the face with pepper spray could have been your son, daughter, husband, wife, niece or nephew. Oscar Grant could have been your son, daughter, husband, wife, niece or nephew. Scott Olsen could have been your son, daughter, husband, wife, niece or nephew. It’s at the point of personal effect that we generally tend to step up the plate and take action. We are you asking you to consider the students of Santa Monica College as if they were loved ones. The next time something like this happens, it could be a loved one who is hurt.
In solidarity,
The Socialist Party of California
Scott Olson could maybe be anyone’s son. Oscar Grant, probably not. If Oscar Grant looked like Scott Olson he probably wouldn’t have ever been detained and then shot. Most people don’t look like Oscar Grant. Oscar Grant is like Trayvon Martin. Young, black, and male. This is what conjures fear in many people’s minds and those with darker skin are seen as a threat. There are some of us more in danger than others in this society– who are more likely to be murdered. That is what we need to fight. I think it would be best if we are more careful what kind of comparisons we make.