Protesters may have hurt their cause
I too experienced that horrible Tuesday problem caused by the UCSC students. I reached the site early and a policeman waved me through on the shoulder but I couldn’t see what was causing the problem. However, because I was on my way to the campus for a special luncheon given by my UCSC retirees group at which we presented several scholarships to deserving military veterans attending UCSC, a project we started about three years ago and now have nearly five or six endowments given by members and others in memoriam.
If those protesters wanted to receive media and other recognition — I’m sure they got it. But the cost to those of us who pay city, county and state taxes for the efforts to remove them and to repair the roadway – will be enormous and will cause them much more anger and resentment from many of us who might have protested the fee raises.
— Mary Joan Rodriguez, Scotts Valley
Not all students agree with UCSC protesters
I am a student from UCSC. I am writing to you because I am very upset at what my fellow students have done, in a way embarrassed at what has happened today.
When I learned that the blocking of the highway exits was caused by UCSC students I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Working at a doctor’s office next to the Dominican Hospital, I know a lot of patients travel from as far as Watsonville to get their treatments done here in Santa Cruz, and I’m sure many more travel here for other important medical appointments. I can’t help but think how many people missed their appointments and such; what if there was a medical emergency, you know?
Currently, the student body at UCSC is heavily divided. I would like for the people of Santa Cruz know that many of us heavily disapprove of this disruption. Though I was not a part of this or involved in it in anyway, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience brought forth into our community. We’re all a community and we (the students) should be considerate of this.
— Bryan Fuentes, Santa Cruz
They may soon be running the country
What is most regrettable about the people protesting this week is that most of them can now vote and in a couple decades may be running the country. Heaven help us.
— Jerry Cabak, Santa Cruz
Civil disobedience brings about change for better
The UC students that demonstrated on the Fish Hook have my support. Most of those who condemn them (probably my age) forget that we made a difference in civil rights, environmental awareness and the Vietnam war through acts of civil disobedience. We leave it to the young and fearless to battle injustice, racism and the right to decent education. Our generation has instead surrendered to complacency and cynicism, happier complaining than finding solutions.
— Kelly Luker, Soquel
Was that really the best way to handle situation?
Really did we have to wait for hours to have the protestors removed from the freeway yesterday?
If we had a true emergency ahem, even kitchen table science would dictate moving the chain of people, chains and trash cans filled with cement to one lane. Better yet use a short blade to cut the pipe between the linked people, call one of our local towing companies with a flat bed and use pallet jacks to escort the people and cans on to the truck bed and off the freeway. Honestly, with all the “person power” involved, this was a no-brainer … All due respect to the officers, helicopter pilot ,and Cal-Trans, this will happen again. Let’s have a better plan.
— Ruby Young, Santa Cruz
There are better ways to protest worthy causes
We were appalled yesterday to discover that some well-meaning, but misguided students blocked the two main highways into town. This is how not to win sympathy for what otherwise would be very worthy causes. It’s a wonder that these students did not cause or become the recipients of major injuries.
This kind of action harkens back to the Anti-Vietnam War Protests. So many people said they were opposed to the war, but many were violent in expression of their opposition. How does any of this help?
— Mary McCaslin, Santa Cruz