SAN FRANCISCO—The chancellor of the University of California, Davis said Saturday that the school was launching an investigation after "chilling" video images surfaced online showing an officer using pepper spray on several protesters as they sit passively with their arms interlocked.
"The use of the pepper spray as shown on the video is chilling to us all and raises many questions about how best to handle situations like this," Chancellor Linda Katehi said in a message posted on the school's web site.
Ms. Katehi said she is forming a task force made up of faculty, students and staff to review the events surrounding the Friday protest and the police response.
"While the university is trying to ensure the safety and health of all members of our community, we must ensure our strategies to gain compliance are fair and reasonable and do not lead to mistreatment," her message went on to say.
In the video, posted on YouTube and widely circulated online, the officer displays a bottle before spraying its contents on the seated protesters in a sweeping motion while walking back and forth. Most of the protesters have their heads down, but at least one is hit in the face.
Some members of a crowd gathered at the scene scream and cry out. The crowd then chants, "Shame on You," as the protesters on the ground are led away. The officers retreat minutes later with helmets on and batons drawn.
It's not clear from the video what agency the officer who used the pepper spray represents. Officers from UC Davis and other UC campuses as well as the city of Davis responded to the protest, according to Annette Spicuzza, UC Davis police chief. Davis is about 80 miles north of San Francisco.
Spicuzza told the Sacramento Bee that police used the pepper spray after they were surrounded. Protesters were warned repeatedly beforehand that force would be used if they didn't move, she said.
"There was no way out of that circle," Ms. Spicuzza said. "They were cutting the officers off from their support. It's a very volatile situation."
The tents went up on Thursday, and protesters were apparently warned on Friday that they violated university policies.
Ms. Katehi said she is also asking for a review of the university's policies regarding encampments to see if they allow students enough flexibility to express themselves.
—Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
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