Occupy UCLA Returns, Despite Threat of Arrests

Protesters at UCLA say they are prepared for forceful police action

Some UCLA students were busy Monday  night getting ready for their rivalry game with USC. Others were busy getting ready for a possible showdown with police.

The Occupy UCLA protest resumed Monday, for the first time since it was taken down by campus police last week.

"Last week 14 people got arrested," said Alex Holmstrom-Smith, a UCLA graduate student, who took time out from studying in her tent. "I think the students are really excited about this movement and we don't want to be moved, and we're going to try to stand our ground as much as possible."

UCLA students held a General Assembly Monday night. First on the agenda, how to handle possible arrests.

"It depends on the degree of violence they use," said UCLA student Taylor Mason. "But for the most part, I would definitely like to stay."

There was concern, in light of campus police using pepper spray on UC Davis students last Friday. Video of the incident has gone viral.

"It most shocked me when you saw students sitting there and then getting sprayed as the police just casually walk by," said Mason.

One of those pepper sprayed, 18 year old UC Davis freshman, Ian Lee, is a Temple City High graduate.

"This reaction, that has gone viral, is a little surprising but also understandable," said Lee.

UCLA students say, tuition hikes are galvanizing students.

"The more people it's starting to affect, the more people get involved," said UCLA student Randy Boykins. "But it doesn't stop here."

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