Police in riot gear confronted protesters on the campus of UCLA early Thursday after demonstrators ignored an order to disperse.
What to Know
- A standoff with protesters on the UCLA campus that began Wednesday ended before dawn Thursday when officers moved into an encampment.
- Officers moved into the pro-Palestinian encampment hours after a dispersal order was issued and took people into custody before dawn.
- Hundreds of people were arrested as officers cleared out the encampment, leaving behind tents, medical supplies, trash and other items.
Officers in protective gear dismantled a protest encampment overnight on the UCLA campus and took hundreds of people into custody early Thursday after an hours-long standoff with protesters.
A large law enforcement presence was at the University of California Los Angeles following a chaotic Tuesday night between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli counterdemonstrators that included fights, firecrackers and chemicals sprayed during the confrontation.
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Officers issued orders Wednesday evening for the group to leave the encampment, warning over loudspeakers that anyone who refused to leave could face arrest. A large group remained at the encampment and on nearby campus steps overnight after several more dispersal orders were announced.
At about 3 a.m., officers entered part of the encampment and took down tents, wooden pallets, cardboard boxes, barriers and other items that had been on the campus for about a week. The encampment included students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza.
"It's a moving operation, and we're doing it as best as we can," said CHP Officer Alec Pereyda said at 6 a.m.
At about 6:30 a.m., the CHP said more than 130 people had been arrested with more arrests expected. Law enforcement officers later said hundreds of people had been arrested. It was not immediately clear how many are students, faculty members or people not affiliated with the school.
They were escorted to sheriff's department inmate buses and transported to downtown Los Angeles for booking on suspicion of misdemeanors, likely trespassing and vandalism. Most will be cited and released, according to authorities.
As dawn broke, a small group of protesters lined up behind metal barriers near a quad area facing a column of law enforcement officers. They eventually either left the scene or were taken into custody.
One officer was injured during the operation, the CHP said. Details about the officer's injury, possibly a cut to the hand, were not immediately available.
Bottles, rocks and at least one fire extinguisher were thrown at officers during the takedown.
The clearing of the encampment in front of Royce Hall revealed trash, medical supplies and other items left behind in the area. Graffiti and signs appeared on the exterior walls of the building.
It was not immediately clear when charges will be filed.
"Our immediate concern is ensuring the fair treatment of all individuals involved in the recent events at UCLA," said LA County Public Defender, Ricardo D. García. "We are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed our Rapid Response Team to provide on-the-ground support to arrestees.
"We are committed to providing legal representation and support to those who have been arrested or may face legal proceedings. At this time, we do not have information on what, if any, charges will be presented. Nonetheless, it is essential that due process and the presumption of innocence are upheld. We will work diligently to protect the rights of our clients throughout."
Classes were canceled Wednesday at the Westwood campus.
Pro-Palestinian protesters set up their encampment behind plywood and metal barriers, which were broken down violently by counter-protesters Tuesday night. Sticks, rocks, cones and other objects were thrown at the encampment – actions that escalated to violence condemned by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
President Biden addressed the protests Thursday morning at college campuses across the United States after the Westwood operation.
"This isn't a moment for politics. It's a moment for clarity," Biden said. 'Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is. It's against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not peaceful protest. It's against the law.
"Vandalism. Trespassing. Breaking windows, Shutting down campuses. Forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. None of this is a peaceful protest.''
Biden did not directly address the protest at UCLA.
“Every student deserves to be safe and live peacefully on their campus," Mayor Karen Bass said. "Harassment, vandalism and violence have no place at UCLA or anywhere in our city. My office will continue to coordinate closely with local and state law enforcement, area universities and community leaders to keep campuses safe and peaceful.”
In a statement released Wednesday to the UCLA community, Chancellor Gene D. Block described the individuals who incited the violence as “instigators.”
“Late last night, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad to forcefully attack the encampment that has been established there to advocate for Palestinian rights. Physical violence ensued, and our campus requested support from external law enforcement agencies to help end this appalling assault, quell the fighting and protect our community.”
“However one feels about the encampment, this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable. It has shaken our campus to its core and — adding to other abhorrent incidents that we have witnessed and that have circulated on social media over the past several days — further damaged our community’s sense of security.”
Block issued another statement Thursday on the decision to remove the encampment.
Iranian state television carried live images of the police action, as did Qatar’s pan-Arab Al Jazeera satellite network, according to the Associated Press. Live images of Los Angeles also played across Israeli television networks, the AP reported.
Block continued his statement saying students who were impacted by Tuesday’s violence could seek counseling and psychological services via the university’s student affairs website.
All UCLA classes were canceled Wednesday in wake of the melee due to "the distress caused by the violence that took place on Royce Quad."
In a press conference held Wednesday, Muslim civil rights groups and organizers of the protest said about 25 people were injured during Tuesday’s confrontation. The severity of those injuries was not disclosed.
