Students Protest Calif. Affirmative Action Measure

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CNN, Nov. 12) -- Students protesting the passage of California's Proposition 209, a mandatory end to affirmative action programs, took over a school administration building Monday. Police arrested 20 students at the University of California at Riverside, ending the protest in the afternoon.

About 75 people walked into Hindraker Hall Monday morning and secured the doors from the inside, while another 150 to 200 people gathered outside the building, university spokeswoman Kathy Barton said. The arrested will be charged with trespassing and failure to disperse.

Chancellor Raymond Orbach met with protestors but could not convince them to leave. Orbach had previously scheduled "open office" time for anyone wanting to discuss the university's position on Proposition 209.

Friday, all University of California campuses received a memo directing hiring and admissions decisions not be based on race or gender.

No one was injured during the protest and damage to the building was minimal, school officials said.

Students Protest Calif. Affirmative Action Measure

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