Academics join CUNY protests against David Petraeus as NYPD arrests six students

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/20/academics-join-cuny-protests-against-david-petraeus-as-nypd-arrests-six-students/



Academics join CUNY protests against David Petraeus as NYPD arrests six students
By Adam Gabbatt, The Guardian
Friday, September 20, 2013 14:21 EDT

Scores of academics at the City University of New York have signed a petition calling for charges against six students, arrested during a protest against David Petraeus, to be dropped. The academics have also called for the former four-star general to resign from his teaching role at CUNY.

The six students were detained on Tuesday as they demonstrated outside a fundraiser being attended by Petraeus, who began his career as a CUNY adjunct professor this month. The students were charged on Wednesday night with multiple offences including disorderly conduct, riot, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration.

However protesters argue that police were heavy-handed as they conducted the arrests. Video footage showed one demonstrator being repeatedly struck in the ribs as officers place him in handcuffs.

The arrests, which were conducted at what demonstrators insist was a peaceful protest, have galvanised support for the protesters from CUNY students and professors and from professors elsewhere in New York and beyond.