Tensions increased between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters at a demonstration at UCLA. Robert Kovacik reports for the NBC4 News on April 25, 2024.
In response to a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the University of California Los Angeles campus on Thursday, pro-Israeli supporters counter-protested the cause as universities across the U.S. face unrest due to the anti-war movement.
Hours prior to the establishment of the encampment in Westwood, its hometown rival USC had already faced a large group of demonstrators, some of whom were arrested after refusing to follow the LAPD’s order to disperse.
Participants erected a makeshift wooden fence alongside the encampment and displayed signs with slogans such as "UCLA Says Free Palestine,'' "Blood on the UC Hands'' and "When people are occupied, resistance is justified.''
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Organizers of the "Palestine Solidarity Encampment,'' similar to their counterparts at USC, issued a list of demands that include divestment of all University of California and UCLA Foundation funds from companies tied to Israel, along with a university call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and an academic boycott by UC against Israeli universities, including a suspension of study-abroad programs.
"For 201 days, Israel has murdered, injured, starved, disappeared, displaced and kidnapped Palestinians with impunity,'' according to a message posted online by organizers of the UCLA encampment, including the UC Divest Coalition at UCLA, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace UCLA.
UCLA joined a growing number of universities where demonstrators camped out, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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"It's concerning, not just as an educator or journalist, but as a human being and being told if we say anything about it, it's wrong," a UCLA graduate student named Candace said. "We can't watch a genocide and be complicit about it."
One professor at the university said Thursday's demonstration served as a learning opportunity.
"These kids are learning all kinds of things today -- organize how to talk to each other and disagree with each other, which is what the path of education is all about," said Nancy Mithlo, a Professor of Gender Studies.
Opponents of the movement also made their voices clear. In response to the demonstration, pro-Israeli protesters formed outside of the encampment. One alumnus said there were other ways the protesters could have gotten their messages across.
"This is absolutely ridiculous," said Shervin Natan, an alumni. "Students are here to go to school and obstructing students from going to class and this type of protest or encampments at the university is not a win.
In response to Thursday's activities, UCLA issued the following statement:
"Our top priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our entire Bruin community. We’re actively monitoring this situation to support a peaceful campus environment that respects our community’s right to free expression while minimizing disruption to our teaching and learning mission."
This is a developing story.
