To: Linda P.B. Katehi, Chancellor

UC-Davis

Date: 28 November 2011

Subject: Demonstration / The War on Police / Pepper Spraying

Dear Chancellor,

Having no knowledge of the history or agenda of the subject protestors involved in the incident of reference, I would like to say that this seems to be a very difficult scenario for anyone to grasp and deal with in the interest of all parties involved, however I do have doubts that management decisions were based on Constitutionally guaranteed rights, ethics or morals.

The first question I have is were the protestors peacefully addressed by you or your representative as Chancellor and ultimate decision maker, to determine their goals and objectives for the demonstration? Do you have such a desire to maintain the same peaceful atmosphere that was obviously embraced by those protestors who demonstrated that day?

My guess is the truthful answer is NO.

Secondly, do you realize the degree of physical violence inflicted on those civilians with the "weapons grade" pepper spray used on them? Have you ever been through a similar scenario or trained to make such a decision based on the results of being test-sprayed by such a substance? I have, and this sort of inhumane action is not taken lightly.

My guess is the truthful answer to these questions again is NO.

Thirdly, it is suggested that this incident could only be resolved by escalation to the point of using overwhelming, physical force and / or the use of offensive weapons, e.g. "military grade pepper spray" to disperse the demonstrators. Was the option explored to leave them alone and ignore the spectacle, possibly delegitimizing their purpose, hopefully to disperse out of disinterest in their cause and lack of efficacy?

Again, my guess is your answer would be NO.

If you answered NO to the above questions, it would appear you acted with less intelligence and lack of proper skills to manage such situations, with reason and critical thinking as your basis for the process which your position requires, and you should be fired or step down.

Note: Please understand that I do not support the methodologies or the agenda of the subject protestors / demonstrators, but do support their rights to exercise civil disobedience for expressing their points and having the freedom to obtain redress of their grievances, peacefully, whatever they may be. I hope you will do the same in the future. What occurred in this incident was nothing short of gross disregard for liberty and a stark demonstration of police-state tyranny. The exercise of physical force and violence by armed officers only serves to exacerbate the problem, the ultimate results of which are that we all suffer severely for the negative consequences.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Robert William Butler Jr

Houston, TX 77086
Phone: (281) 973-6863
Fax: (901) 234-9961
Email: robert.butler@privacyharbor.com

"Self-righteousness does not aid change, it merely lets us and others off the hook."

(Jonathan Bartley - Environmentalist)

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