A Quick Tip by devora

Well, there's where we differ. These people had their arms locked together tightly, and the cops would've risked serious injury to the "protesters" had they tried to pry them apart. Do some serious reading on what went down, and I think you may just find that the police and the school demonstrated tremendous restraint, even to the point of warning the "protesters" three times that they would be sprayed if they did not disperse from the property. Also, just for the record, pepper spray is NOT recommended for people who are acting out or attacking them precisely because it's difficult to aim at a body in motion; cops would've them been damned for inadvertantly spraying people who were not participating, and there's no doubt that a lawsuit would've resulted that would only cost the school and the taxpayers more than what inevitably unfolded. No one was telling them that they couldn't protest; they were simply politely asking the protesters to stop interrupting the school's business by blocking entrance to people who wanted to have nothing to do with the "protesters." Look, no one is clearly happy that these idiots were sprayed, but the reality of the situation left the police -- especially since they were ordered to do so -- no other justifiably effective alternative. Rest assured, all of the "protesters" were arrested afterward, just as they should've been after being asked to leave the property.

Interesting points, Ed, and thanks for the extra info.  I think you might appreciate this article.  A friend just sent it to me and it contains commentary from several perspectives.