BERKELEY, Calif -- Accusations of police brutality have prompted an investigation at the University of California, Berkeley. At issue is whether student protesters were mistreated during a recent demonstration against a 32 percent hike in tuition.

On Tuesday about 50 people, some Cal students and some members of the community, lit candles in honor of those they said were injured during Friday's clash with police.

Several students talked about being hit with batons in what they described as a violent response to an otherwise peaceful protest. One student said the police came in, then "nudged" them before "they started wailing their batons on our bodies, indiscriminately."

Jeannette Reynaga said police used overly aggressive tactics to end the student occupation of Wheeler Hall.

"They just started swinging withouth probably knowing who they were hitting," said Reynaga. "I couldn't stand to see my boyfriend getting hit and me not able to do anything. "

Last Friday, about 40 students locked themselves on the second floor of the campus landmark. A large crowd of supporters had gathered outside cheering on the students who took the action in protest of the Regents decision to increase tuition 32 percent.

Aware of the growing tension, university police called for back-up that included more than 75 deputies from the Alameda County sheriff's department.

Sheriff's department Sergeant J.D. Nelson watched tapes of the confrontations and felt the police response was justified. "They were greeted by booing, taunts, swearing and things like that. So the tone was set at that point," said Nelson.

Sgt. Nelson said police acted properly given the protesters intent to hold the line.

University officials said they will look into allegations of police brutality.

Nathan Brostrom, the interim Executive Vice-President for Business Operations, promised students who gathered at the office of the UC president Monday that the incident would be looked into.

"We're launching an investigation into all of the activities that took place on Friday," said Brostrom. "That will happen without haste and we will be looking at eveyrthing that happened at Wheeler Hall and throughout campus."