Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol arrived on campus Wednesday morning to restore order following attacks on a pro-Palestinian encampment that has been set up on the University of California, Los Angeles campus since last Thursday.
The violence erupted shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday when the group of about 50 men believed to be supporters of the pro-Israeli counterprotest wearing dark clothing, hoods and white masks covering their faces stormed the barricade and tried to tear it down.
Unarmed security guards were forced to flee as fireworks were launched at the encampment, exploding near the tents that have overtaken Royce Quad.
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Violence broke out at a pro-Palestinian encampent at UCLA when pro-Israel protestors arrived on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
A firework was ignited and thrown into an pro-Palestinian encampment by a pro-Israel protestor at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) -
Violence breaks out among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
A pro-Palestinian protester (L) and a counter protester talk amid clashes at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) -
A firework was ignited and thrown into an pro-Palestinian encampment at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
Violence breaks out among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
Many people in white masks showed up before violence broke out among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
Many people in white masks showed up before violence broke out among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
A pro-Palestinian protester takes shelter behind a barricade amid clashes at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) -
Violence breaks out among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors at the UCLA campus on April 30, 2024. (KTLA) -
A Palestinian flag placed atop a building at UCLA by a demonstrator who scaled scaffolding. (Macy)
Several of the counterprotesters, who appeared to be older outside agitators and not students, used what looked like bear spray to douse pro-Palestinian protesters, said KTLA’s John Fenoglio who was at the scene.
Aerial footage from Sky5 captured the chaotic scene, including countless clashes between protesters. The number of people injured and the severity of the injuries were unclear.
The LAPD was finally sent to the campus at the request of UCLA officials during the early morning hours on Wednesday to restore order and maintain public safety.
The situation appeared to have stabilized in the hours after police arrived.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are demanding UCLA divest all interests in Israel and are calling for an immediate halt to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“When you’ve had genocide carry on for this long, people are just not going to be able to live side by side with two governments in the way that it’s been suggested and I think that a free Palestine is the only way forward,” said pro-Palestinian demonstrator Luke Veltz.
Counter-protesters calling for the release of Israeli hostages taken captive on Oct. 7 by Hamas have used screens and speakers to blast images and stories of survivors just feet away from the encampment.
“I think this is blatant antisemitism,” one young man, who was not identified, told KTLA. “This is crazy what’s going on, what they’re letting go on. They’re chanting to kill us. They’re chanting ‘from the river to the sea,’ which is just blatantly to kill us all. I wanted to see what’s going on and it’s scary.”
The school declared the encampment unlawful in a letter issued just hours before the violent confrontation.
The university asked participants to leave the area and stated that those who decide to stay could face disciplinary measures, including suspension or expulsion, the Daily Bruin reported.
Officials also announced that Royce Hall will be closed through Friday and that Powell Library won’t reopen until Monday.