Hundreds of demonstrators had amassed at the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA on Wednesday evening, with law enforcement standing by after campus officials ordered protesters on both sides to disperse.
The dispersal order came less than 24 hours after violence erupted at the encampment Tuesday night when counter-demonstrators supporting Israel tried to dismantle the encampment. The chaos represented an escalation locally since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
As the “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” entered its seventh night of their Royce Quad occupation on Wednesday, campus police declared the protest of the “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” an unlawful assembly around 6 p.m., and announced over a loudspeaker demanding for demonstrators to clear out from the encampment. A couple hundred demonstrators had occupied the encampment throughout the day and, around 6:30 p.m., another 200 people gathered at the steps leading up to Royce Quad.
UCLA is blasting an announcement on speakers demanding all students leave the Palestine Solidarity Immediately. A massive law enforcement presence is standing by, signaling an effort to clear the encampment could take place soon.
— Clara Harter (@_ClaraHarter) May 2, 2024
UCLA had already canceled classes on Wednesday after the clashes the previous night, which led to 15 injuries, with an announcement in the evening advising students and staff that classes would be held remotely Thursday and Friday.
Chancellor Gene Block issued a statement early Wednesday saying that a “thorough investigation” will be conducted into the violence that erupted on campus Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, including a probe of the university’s “own security processes.” Critics have pointed to a delay in the law enforcement response of more than two hours as violence broke out Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The Federated University Police Officers’ Association, which represents police officers within the University of California Police Department System, said in a statement it “welcomes the upcoming probe.”
“In the University of California system, the Police Departments on each campus are entrusted with the critical responsibility of maintaining law and order,” the statement said. “However, it’s paramount to recognize that when protests erupt on campus, the decisions regarding the response of the UC Police rest firmly in the hands of campus leadership. They shoulder the accountability for the outcomes stemming from these decisions, not the UC Police Department.”
As of 7 p.m., authorities had not yet attempted to move in on the encampment or make any arrests.
This is the scene on the UCLA quad, about 17 hours after a group of counter-protesters descended of the Gaza solidarity encampment here and a night of violence ensued. There are rumors the camp will be swept by police in about half an hour — things are calm for now. More soon. pic.twitter.com/O4GBOltBBL
— Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) May 2, 2024
This is a developing story.
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