Emergency Response Manual

CIVIL DISTURBANCE OR DEMONSTRATIONS

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing, and rallies will be

peaceful and non-obstructive. A student demonstration should not be disrupted unless

one or more of the following conditions exist as a result of the demonstration:

Interference with normal operations of the College.

Prevention of access to offices, buildings or other College facilities.

If either of these conditions exist, Campus Police should be notified and will be

responsible for contacting and informing the Emergency Director and/or the President of

the College. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures

listed below should be followed.

PEACEFUL, NON-OBSTRUCTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

Generally, demonstrations of this kind should not be interrupted.

Demonstrators should not be obstructed or provoked and efforts should be

made to conduct business as normally as possible.

If demonstrators are asked to leave, but refuse to leave by regular facility

closing time:

Arrangements will be made by the Campus Police Chief to monitor

the situation during non-business hours or,

Determination will be made to treat the violation of regular closing

hours as a disruptive demonstration. (See next section)

NON-VIOLENT, DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

In the event that a demonstration blocks access to College facilities or

interferes with operation of the College:

Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by

the Emergency Director or designee.

The Emergency Director will consider having a photographer

available. Key College personnel may be requested to go to the

demonstration site in order to reason with the demonstrators. This

may also include student leaders.

If the demonstrators persist in disruptive activity, they will be

apprised that failure to discontinue the specified action within a

determined length of time may result in disciplinary action including

suspension or expulsion or possible intervention by the civil

authorities. (See Directive A, p.24.)

Efforts shall be made to photograph or to secure positive

identification to be used to facilitate later testimony.

After consultation with the President of the College or Emergency

Director, it will be determined if further measures are required by the

Campus Police or by civil authorities.

If the determination is made to seek intervention by civil authorities,

the demonstrators should be so informed. Upon arrival of the

Birmingham Police Department, the remaining demonstrators will

be notified of the intent to arrest. (See Directive B, p.24.)