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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Matt Dulin                  Chris Elliott                        Robyn Morrow 
                                Johnny Peña                  Kristen Young

Altercation at UCLA elicits shocked response 

A U.S.- born student of Iranian descent accused university police of "brutal excessive force" Wednesday for using a taser on him when he wouldn't present his student identification card at the library, the Daily Bruin reported.

Mostafa Tabatabainejed, a Middle Eastern and North African studies senior, told the Daily Bruin he would not present his student ID card because he thought he was being singled out for racial profiling. 

Tabatabainejed was using a computer in the library when asked for his ID in a random check. Community Service Officers asked Tabatabainejed to leave, but he didn't immediately respond, prompting police involvement. The university told the Daily Bruin that the check was routine and includes checking all who are present. 

An officer approached Tabatabainejed as he was leaving the room. When one grabbed his arm, Tabatabainejed repeatedly asked the officer to let go. The officer found Tabatabainejed to be "uncooperative" and used his taser on the student, a UCPD press release said.

Rather than refusing to present his student ID, Tabatabainejed should have taken up his concerns with school administrators at a later time. Although racial profiling should not occur under any circumstance, Tabatabainejed could have addressed his concerns in a more appropriate manner. Tabatabainejed should understand that the procedure was random and performed to ensure students-- safety.

However, police should have reacted calmly to Tabatabainejed's resistance and escorted him quietly off the premises. Such excessive force was unwarranted. Tabatabainejed did not present an immediate threat and was leaving at the time he was apprehended. Although he did not respond immediately to requests that he vacate the room, he was in the process of responding.

Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Friday at a rally to protest to the incident, the Daily Bruin reported. Students also marched to the university's police station demanding an independent investigation into the officers' actions.