Police were noticeably absent when violence broke out Tuesday evening on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles, amid protests against the war between Israel and Hamas.
Dozens of pro-Israel demonstrators, many wearing white masks and flags around their shoulders, arrived around 10:45 p.m. and attempted to dismantle part of the pro-Palestinian encampment, which had gained ground on campus, before deploying fireworks and what might have been the case. been a bear or pepper spray.
Pro-Palestinian protesters were seen using umbrellas, probably to protect themselves from the sea spray.
University campus police, along with medical personnel, showed up briefly at the scene before leaving, reported KTLA’s John Fenoglio, who was on the ground during the violence.
At least one person was injured and seen being carried away, while another person was seen lying on the ground while others tended to them.
Aerial footage from Sky5 captured the chaotic scene, including several clashes between protesters, although the crowds appeared to thin out around midnight after the clashes lasted more than an hour.
The encampment, populated by demonstrators demanding that UCLA abandon all interests in Israel and an immediate end to the 201-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, now occupies part of the steps and sidewalks of Powell Library and Royce Hall .
The dueling protests became heated at times but remained peaceful for most of Tuesday.
Luke Veltz attempted to give snacks and drinks to those in the camp. Although he is not a student, he told KTLA’s John Fenoglio that he supports calls for the university to divest from Israel and that he hopes for an end to the war and a Palestinian state free.
“When the genocide has been going on for so long, people will simply not be able to live side by side with two governments as has been suggested and I think a free Palestine is the only way forward,” he said.
Counter-protesters calling for the release of Israeli hostages captured on October 7 by Hamas used screens and loudspeakers to broadcast images and stories of survivors just meters from the camp.
“I think this is blatant anti-Semitism,” an unidentified young man told KTLA. “It’s crazy what’s happening, what they’re letting happen. They sing to kill us. They chant “from the river to the sea”, which is clearly intended to kill us all. I wanted to see what was happening and it’s scary.
On Tuesday morning, protesters chanted: “Let him go!” » while a demonstrator carrying a Palestinian flag who was climbing the scaffolding of a building near the encampment was arrested.
He was later released.
Vandals also painted graffiti on the doors of Royce Hall.
On Tuesday morning, a man on crutches who claimed to be an alumnus and was not part of any of the protests was accosted by UCLA security after attempting to access a public passageway outside the encampment, Fenoglio reported.
“I told them I was disabled,” he said. “They said I was trying to use (my crutches) as a weapon. It was on the ground behind me. It was crazy. “
Protesters in the encampment also reportedly prevented students from going to class.
The university called this type of behavior “abhorrent” and said these actions could lead to “suspension or expulsion.”
Overnight, campus police broke up several fights after a group of about 60 pro-Israel protesters attempted to break through the camp barricade.
University officials ultimately decided to close Royce Hall until Friday and Powell Library until Monday.
At the University of Southern California, the main commencement ceremony remains canceled, although smaller graduation ceremonies will be held across campus.
University President Carol Folt released a statement saying in part:
“USC remains committed to freedom of expression and peaceful protest while ensuring public safety.”
Folt also said she was in direct talks with representatives of the pro-Palestinian group Divest from Death USC, which set up an encampment in Alumni Park.
The park experienced a chaotic scene last week after the university asked Los Angeles police to forcibly remove protesters.
At UCLA, many students told KTLA they supported the right to free speech but did not want to see violence from protesters or police.
So far, police have not been called to evict protesters at UCLA, but the university has declared the encampment illegal and those who refuse to leave could face disciplinary action from the school or to misdemeanor charges by law enforcement.
News Source : ktla.com
Gn usa
