In "Berkeley Free Speech Movement" Robby Cohen credits the FSM with catalyzing further student movements in the 1960's, though it can also be applied to recent history. The FSM can be compared to the student Occupy movement and tuition hike protests of 2011. Both protested about defining issues of their time. In the 1960's, they protested against restrictions of freedoms and rights. Today, students protest inequality perpetuated by government actions such as tuition raises. Today, we can learn from the actions of the FSM, which was successful because of participation of thousands of students, faculty support, and nonviolent resistance. In 2011 and 1964, large numbers of police were deployed and forcibly broke up protests, although the FSM was not subject to as much force as the 2011 students. Although students employed similar tactics--surrounding police, occupying buildings etc.-- 2011 protesters were pepper sprayed and roughly handled during arrest. But are police dealings with students more violent today as a whole, or are they just bettered remembered because they are in our recent memory?
Laura Roser
Week 2
10/1/15
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