DAVIS — Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) made the following statement April 12 in response to the Reynoso Task Force Report regarding the UC Davis pepper spray incident in November 2011:
“I have spent the last day reading the extensive report spearheaded by former state Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso regarding the UC Davis pepper spray incident of Nov. 18, 2011. I would like to thank the task force for their thoughtful and deliberate process.
“This long-awaited report gives a comprehensive account of what occurred that grave day at UC Davis, and provides specific recommendations for moving forward from this incident as a campus and a community. I have personally spoken with Chancellor Linda Katehi and am confident that what we have all learned from the report will be incorporated quickly to prevent a future recurrence.
“This has been a difficult time not only for the Davis community, but for all those who are justifiably angry about the public disinvestments in higher education and many other public services. This report is also the first step towards holding those responsible for the incident accountable. Let us now refocus on healing the wounds we have experienced and restoring the world-class education for which UC Davis is already known.”
Videos of the incident, which went viral and sparked widespread outrage, showed Lt. John Pike pepper-spraying student protesters who were sitting motionless on the ground. The report was critical of UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza, who has since resigned, as well as Pike and Katehi.