Police Clear Pro-Palestinian Encampment at UCLA
LOS ANGELES — In a dramatic early morning operation, hundreds of police officers in riot gear cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Before dawn on Thursday, police took action after ordering over 1,000 protesters to vacate the area.
The officers dismantled the makeshift barriers and used flash bangs and flares as they removed the site, which had been set up on campus a week earlier.
Reports indicate that more than 100 demonstrators were detained during the raid.
These student-organized pro-Palestinian rallies and encampments, which originated at Columbia University in New York City on April 17, have now spread to over two dozen states and at least six other countries.
Police assistance has been requested in many cases, and incidents of violence have occurred on several campuses. The total number of arrests nationwide over the past two weeks now exceeds 1,000.
President Joe Biden addressed the wave of protests directly from the White House on Thursday, urging participants to respect the rule of law while exercising their freedom of speech.
“We are a civil society and order must prevail,” he stated. “Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is.”
He added, “Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations – none of this is a peaceful protest.”
The protesters, advocating for a ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with Hamas, have called for academic institutions to financially boycott Israel and companies profiting from the conflict.
However, Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe at their universities due to increasing incidents of antisemitic behavior, threats, and disruptions to college life. University leaders are facing mounting pressure to address the protests.
Tensions at UCLA escalated when a masked pro-Israeli group arrived on campus on Tuesday night and attacked the campers. Police response was criticized for being slow by students, observers, and some political figures.
Law enforcement established a tight security perimeter at the school’s Dickson Plaza on Wednesday after regaining control of the area, while keeping a close watch on the pro-Palestinian gathering that was deemed “an unlawful assembly”.
On Thursday morning, officers in riot gear used flash bangs and flares to disperse protesters, leading to a chaotic scene with some demonstrators resisting and using makeshift shields while chanting slogans.
There are allegations that police used rubber bullets and other “less than lethal” tools, though this has not been confirmed. Protesters were detained and the area was cleared as campus operations were limited and classes moved to remote instruction.
The protest movement continues at universities across the country, with some institutions considering divestment proposals. Academic and political leaders are grappling with the dissent among young Americans over the Gaza conflict.
Recent arrests have taken place at various universities including Yale, Dartmouth, Stony Brook University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Texas at Dallas. — BBC
