The Vanguard learned this morning from UC Davis Spokesperson Claudia Morain that the Yolo County District Attorney has sent letters to twelve protestors who were allegedly involved in the protest and blocking at the Memorial Union of US Bank. They have been ordered to appear at an arraignment and face misdemeanor charges.
A previous release from the university indicated that UC Davis police had forwarded six cases to the Yolo County District Attorney’s office, recommending prosecution for violating Penal Code sections that make it a misdemeanor to “willfully and maliciously” obstruct the free movement of any person on any street, sidewalk or other public place, or to intentionally interfere with any lawful business.
Mike Cabral, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, said on March 15 that the district attorney’s office had not yet completed its review of the case files – and that a decision on whether to prosecute was likely to come the following Monday or Tuesday (March 19 or 20). If the decision were made to go forward, the district attorney’s office planned to notify the suspects by mail, ordering them to appear in court, the university release continued.
US Bank told UC officials that it is terminating its agreements with the campus. In a March 1 letter to the Board of Regents, the bank stated its reason as the interference by protesters who intermittently blocked the door to the bank branch in the Memorial Union since January.
The bank chose to close during many of the protests, and, now, in a letter to account holders, the branch says it is “officially closed” (as of Feb. 28). The letter refers the approximately 2,500 account holders to U.S. Bank branches in Davis and Woodland.
However, UC officials said they believe the termination letter is premature, noting that the university had been in discussions with bank representatives about the future of the branch office. The university had hoped to resolve the situation in a manner that would enable the bank to resume operations, while at the same time making allowance for law enforcement to prosecute proven violations of the California Penal Code while also allowing for peaceful protests.
U.S. Bank employees “were effectively imprisoned in the branch,” bank Senior Vice President Daniel Hoke said in his March 1 letter. He noted that employees felt they needed to call campus police to escort them from the branch.
“We’re disappointed that U.S. Bank has indicated that it wants to leave after UC Davis worked with students to find creative financial solutions during these difficult budget times,” said Associate Vice Chancellor Emily Galindo of Student Affairs.
In January and February, demonstrators had blocked the doors to the US Bank branch in the UC Davis Memorial Union. The blockades resulted in closure of the bank at times, and involvement of the campus police.
According to an article in the Aggie back in January, “Occupy protesters assert that the presence of U.S. Bank on campus is uniquely harmful because students may opt for the convenience of obtaining a high-interest loan there, rather than shop elsewhere. Ultimately, the protesters say that they want the bank closed.”
At a town hall meeting, Vice Chancellor John Meyer addressed campus staff and described the campus’s patient, measured responses to the brief occupation of the former Cross Cultural Center and the almost daily blockade of the U.S. Bank branch in the Memorial Union.
“We think we’ve engaged an approach this quarter that is measurably positive,” Vice Chancellor Meyer said.
According to the university, “The campus’s new Engagement Team – several campus employees from different departments who have negotiating and mediating skills – has had regular contact with the protesters, talking with them, listening to their points about ‘real issues’ such as budget cuts and rising tuition; and trying to develop relationships.”
In addition, in the case of the bank protest, the campus says it handed out notices to protesters explaining their rights and responsibilities – advising that blocking people from entering or exiting the bank “is an illegal act,” Vice Chancellor Meyer said.
While the previous release said six cases were forwarded to the Yolo County DA, apparently the number is 12. The Vanguard will update this story as more information becomes available.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
If charged and convicted, there goes their future possibility for a career in the US military.
[quote]The Vanguard learned this morning from UC Davis Spokesperson Claudia Morain that the Yolo County District Attorney has sent letters to twelve protestors who were allegedly involved in the protest and blocking at the Memorial Union of US Bank. They have been ordered to appear at an arraignment and face misdemeanor charges.[/quote]
[quote]At a town hall meeting, Vice Chancellor John Meyer addressed campus staff and described the campus’s patient, measured responses to the brief occupation of the former Cross Cultural Center and the almost daily blockade of the U.S. Bank branch in the Memorial Union.
“We think we’ve engaged an approach this quarter that is measurably positive,” Vice Chancellor Meyer said.
According to the university, “The campus’s new Engagement Team – several campus employees from different departments who have negotiating and mediating skills – has had regular contact with the protesters, talking with them, listening to their points about ‘real issues’ such as budget cuts and rising tuition; and trying to develop relationships.”
In addition, in the case of the bank protest, the campus says it handed out notices to protesters explaining their rights and responsibilities – advising that blocking people from entering or exiting the bank “is an illegal act,” Vice Chancellor Meyer said.[/quote]
Sounds like this may be a purposeful new way of handling protests – do nothing and follow up with arrests through the DA’s office when/where appropriate. In other words, “okay, if protestors want to play the game of getting university/university police in trouble by drawing police into a confrontation, then the university/university police will sit back and do nothing, then have the DA press charges later”. This takes immediate media attention out of the equation altogether. This has become a high stakes game of chess, and I suspect the university is getting better at it. The next move is in the protestors court…
[quote]If charged and convicted, there goes their future possibility for a career in the US military.[/quote]
They’ll never get a job with a security clearance…
About time UCD, I hope all twelve get convicted.
“If charged and convicted, there goes their future possibility for a career in the US military.”
That’s a weird statement even if it were accurate.
“If charged and convicted, there goes their future possibility for a career in the US military.”
“That’s a weird statement even if it were accurate. “
If true, that is possibly huge for a college student. My son-in-law got his medical degree at Penn State fully paid for by the Army plus they gave him $1000/month living money during that time. He and my daughter are now in Germany where he’s delivering Army babies. He only has to serve 4 years and is making @ $150,000/yr and has no student loans to pay off. So losing a career in the military could really really hurt a college student who wanted to go on to a higher degree and use the GI Bill.
I think he meant it’s weird because you’re talking about lefty protesters who are not going to join the military, not the kids or kid-in-laws of right wingers like yourself.
“I think he meant it’s weird because you’re talking about lefty protesters who are not going to join the military, not the kids or kid-in-laws of right wingers like yourself.”
Well Brian, you never know. For your info my daughter and her husband are very liberal, she’s a high school English teacher who was brain washed by UCD and Millersville U. so the fact that she’s the daughter of a right winger has nothing to do with it. I’m hoping as she grows older she will smarten up and become more conservative as most of the more intelligent liberals do.
My son is in Army basic training right now. The military is only accepting people without any criminal record except minor traffic-related offenses. Drugh posession… forget it. Misdemeanor charge for protesting… forget it too.
My daughter was in the military, and I ain’t exactly a right winger. I lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ove the GI Bill! College students should seriously consider the possible consequences of engaging in illegal behavior on their future employment prospects. The military isn’t the only employer that looks askance at a criminal record. It’s a tough job market out there.
Exactly Don, who wants to hire a trouble maker?
I find all this talk about military service disqualification for a misdemeanor charge somewhat suspect. Is it possible we have too many college graduate volunteers without misdemeanor charges volunteering to go to war?
In any case, this breaking news no doubt pleases David who was concerned that the university didn’t take a hard stand against these lawbreakers. Turns out they’d already acted, and it was just the DA’s office was too busy handling their unnecessary-felony workload.
They will be arraigned on two charges on April 27: obstructing movement on a street or in a public place and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor. Apparently some could face up to twenty counts.
JB
‘If charged and convicted, there goes their future possibility for a career in the US military.”
I don’t think this has much to do with right or left. But not much of a problem for pacifists. Yes, choices do have consequences. Joining the military also has consequences, sometimes costing one’s own life, or the lives of others. And yes, I did make the choice to join the non arms bearing military, and it cost me more than I would choose to pay again. Not all prices are financial.
rusty49
“who was brain washed by UCD and Millersville U. so the fact that she’s the daughter of a right winger has nothing to do with it. I’m hoping as she grows older she will smarten up and become more conservative as most of the more intelligent liberals do.”
Interesting that both you and Jeff use the term “brainwashed” to mean ” came to believe something different than what I do”. I sincerely don’t believe that my IQ is reflected by the fact that if anything, I have become more liberal minded over time.
As for the students who are charged, we do not know what their specific motivations were, nor their particular goals and aspirations. For anyone who would never dream of a military or security related job,not much loss hear.
I personally would probably have been better off had I not qualified for the military.
Thank you for your service, medwoman.
Medwoman, my children are loving the Army life in Germany. They say they feel like they’re on a four year vacation seeing much of Europe. The Army families are very tightknit and they’ve made many close friends over there. I’m sorry you didn’t have a good experience from the military but I know my children wouldn’t trade it for the world. I guess it’s all in what one chooses to make of it.
rusty49
I think it’s a little more than that. Where you are stationed and what you are doing are also major contributors.
From the Enterprise:
“The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Each count of obstruction, also a misdemeanor, carries a penalty of up to six months in jail. Individual protesters face as many as 20 counts.
The protesters also could be ordered to pay more than $1 million to compensate U.S. Bank for its losses.”
Even though these tough penalties will mostly never happen, I’d still hate to have this hanging over my head.
“Other banks have “informally expressed an interest to step in” to replace U.S. Bank, he said.”
If being on campus isn’t profitable as some have suggested, why are other banks ready to move in?
Got a full story coming out shortly here.
To answer your question: I think being on campus “wasn’t” as profitable as USB had hoped, I think other banks see (A) an opportunity for profit and (B) think they can correct mistakes that USB made that cut into their profit margin.
My daughter was in the military, and I ain’t exactly a right winger. I lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ove the GI Bill! College students should seriously consider the possible consequences of engaging in illegal behavior on their future employment prospects. The military isn’t the only employer that looks askance at a criminal record. It’s a tough job market out there.
very well put.
In addition, in the case of the bank protest, the campus says it handed out notices to protesters explaining their rights and responsibilities – advising that blocking people from entering or exiting the bank “is an illegal act,” Vice Chancellor Meyer said.
this is the first I’ve heard from the University about a protestors privileges and rights – I think this would be helpful to put in the Reynoso report.
furthermore, if these people are charged with misdemeanors I’m okay with that so long as it gets them to stop. If other protestors decide misdemeanor charges are not enough, well then I’m for upping the ante.
What felony do you believe they committed?
[quote]For anyone who would never dream of a military or security related job,not much loss hear. [/quote]
A security related job encompasses a lot of job opportunities – more than you might think. Do you really want to suggest a student not consider that before engaging in unlawful protest?
Elaine,
“Do you really want to suggest a student not consider that before engaging in unlawful protest?”
No, but I would not be quick to assume that any particular individual has not considered this possibility and found it an acceptable risk.
“No, but I would not be quick to assume that any particular individual has not considered this possibility and found it an acceptable risk.”
I seriously doubt that these troublemakers considered any possible reproccussions before they did their acts. They now might have to pay a price. Even if they do get off they still had to go through the worry of it all.
actually, the punishment I had in mind was kicking them out of the university altogether.
91 Octane
“actually, the punishment I had in mind was kicking them out of the university altogether.”
And your legal basis for that would be ? Or does that not matter ?
“actually, the punishment I had in mind was kicking them out of the university altogether.”
They could do that through judicial affairs, but that seems a rather severe punishment – a potential life sentence for committing a misdo crime. I’m rather glad you are not working as an administrator at UCD.
you are glad I’m not an administrator…. I will pin that to my shirt as a badge of honor… thank you.
the university needs to make examples of them…. as well as send a message to others….. anarchy is not the answer to your problems. if you are here on campus, it is to learn period.
maybe they should have done this instead to the pepperspray students.