A group of protesters began tearing down barriers set up to separate them from pro-Palestinian protesters, leading to a riot on the UCLA campus. Earlier, officials had declared the encampment illegal and security personnel hired by the university were present in yellow vests. Videos showed protesters shooting fireworks at the encampment and spraying chemicals in people’s faces. Some protesters attacked individuals using makeshift weapons like sticks, traffic cones, and planks of wood. Protesters inside the encampment shouted “Hold the line!” while fighting with those trying to destroy barriers.
At around 1 a.m., UCLA officials called the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for help, who arrived on the scene immediately. Other law enforcement agencies also responded. Initially, police stood back about 300 meters from the area without intervening, but eventually advanced towards the encampment at 2:42 a.m., dispersing protesters and calming violence.
UCLA President Gene Block condemned the attackers and criticized campus law enforcement for their delayed response. Jewish and Muslim organizations also condemned the attacks. Fifteen people were injured leading to warnings for pro-Palestinian protesters to leave or face arrest by Thursday morning. The police had dismantled the encampment and arrested over 200 people in total.
Hussam Iloush from Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Los Angeles office called for an investigation into police’s lack of response while Jewish Federation of Los Angeles accused UCLA officials of creating an unsafe environment.
The incident sparked backlash and calls for accountability from various groups and individuals who condemned it as an act of violence against peaceful protestors.
In conclusion, this was a violent incident that led to injuries of several people, arrests of over 200 individuals and calls for accountability from various groups and individuals who are concerned about safety on campus protestors’ rights to express themselves peacefully should be respected but not at any cost that endangers human life or property damage