I would like to address the UTM campus about a serious problem here at the university – a problem that harasses me as I am going to class and that I believe is not equipped to handle pressure situations on this campus.

This problem that I am addressing is the UTM police officers. I have witnessed with my eyes and experienced what I believe is harassment from these cops.

UTM police are hired to serve and protect UTM students, but instead all I receive from most of the officers is disrespect. I am a witness to the cowardly acts of police when they filled the UC with pepper spray on the night of Aug. 22. They sprayed areas and students who were completely innocent.

Students were sent to the hospital because of the actions of the officers, not the actions of the students. I am a witness to police standing around, and one of them smoking a cigarette around two fallen students having asthma attacks.

It took over 50 minutes for the ambulance to arrive; I know this because I timed it. The officers provided no help as far as getting immediate attention to those students in need.

I am also a witness to the innocence of Frank Doss. I saw him when he arrived and departed from the UC. The police are blaming the wrong man for this “chair incident.” I witnessed Frank help restrain students from fighting.

I have been a victim of harassment by the police. The incident was stated in Volume 76, Issue No. 3 of The Pacer in the police report. On Aug. 25, at 8:50 a.m., I believe I was harassed by an officer on my daily walk to class. In my opinion, this officer showed no patience and no professionalism. It seemed that he attempted to embarrass me in front of my peers by placing me in his car in front of Cooper Hall because I did not run to a sidewalk when he yelled at me to move. Or maybe I was singled out because I was wearing an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. T-shirt. Another reason could be because I do not fear him.

I will take a stand against wrong. I do not fear anyone or anything but God. And through God, I will stand up against all the wrong I witness here on my campus.

I do believe in our legal system, but I also believe in hiring good personnel. This plead for change does not need to be overlooked. Until then, my fellow students … stay strong. God bless America!

Anthony Broussard is a junior Health and Human Performance major from Covington.