Anarchy broke out overnight at the University of California, Los Angeles, after anti-Israel protests escalated into clashes between rival groups. Police wearing face shields and riot gear were eventually called to the scene to restore order.
Photos and videos online showed scenes of chaos, with people throwing chairs, hitting each other with sticks and weapons, and shoving and kicking each other. Firecrackers were also thrown into groups of people and pepper spray was used at various times.
“Due to the horrific acts of violence that occurred at the encampment tonight, we immediately requested mutual aid assistance from law enforcement,” UCLA official Mary Osako told the campus newspaper, the Daily Bruin.
Police said the riot was allowed to continue for at least two hours before law enforcement officers arrived on the scene. FOX11 Los Angeles.
Video of anti-Israel protesters disrupting a Jewish student’s class.University of California, Los Angeles responds
California near an area displaying messages of support for Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip during clashes with an anti-Israel garrison on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on May 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Highway patrol officers were standing there. (Reuters/David Swanson)
The chaotic scenes began at 11pm on Tuesday night, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups clashing with shouts and chants. However, the situation escalated quickly.
Police did not immediately confront the campus disruptors until the Los Angeles Police Department arrived on campus just before 2 a.m. local time.
CHP officers work to restore order on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues. (Reuters/David Swanson)
On May 1, 2024, anti-Israel demonstrators and CHP officers confronted each other on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus in Los Angeles, California. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the violence is “unacceptable” and the LAPD is on the UCLA campus to resolve disputes between protesters and counter-protesters. said.
“The acts of violence that occurred tonight at UCLA are absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable,” Bass wrote in X at 1:47 a.m. local time. “The Los Angeles Police Department has arrived on campus.”
California Highway Patrol troopers also responded.
FOX Los Angeles confirmed that police officers were on campus at 1:59 a.m.
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Just before 5 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to X that officers from the university had been called to campus.
“At the request of UCLA, due to multiple acts of violence within a large encampment on campus, the Los Angeles Police Department is here to assist the UCLA Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in restoring order and maintaining public safety.” ,” he said in the post. .
The Associated Press reported that the officers were wearing riot gear.
On May 1, 2024, law enforcement officers were called to restore order on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Los Angeles City Council member Katie Yaroslavsky spoke out against the violent demonstrations taking place at UCLA.
Yaroslavsky, who represents Los Angeles City Council District 5, said the crash was “out of control” and the campus was “no longer safe.”
“While everyone has the right to free speech and the right to protest, the situation on UCLA’s campus is out of control and no longer safe. Thank you for intervening to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. I’m grateful to the LAPD and Mayor Bass,” Yaroslavsky said. I wrote it to X.
UCLA’s Office of Strategic Communications similarly released a statement calling the violence on campus “horrifying.”
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“Tonight, a horrific act of violence occurred at our encampment, and we immediately called law enforcement and requested mutual assistance. Fire and medical personnel are on the scene. We stand by this senseless act of violence. We are sick of it and this has to end,” the statement said.
People on campus threw chairs, hit each other with sticks and weapons, and shoved and kicked each other. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Dennis Zine, a former police officer and former Los Angeles City Council member, acknowledged in an interview with FOX Los Angeles that LAPD officers could not intervene unless specifically requested by the university.
”[LAPD] I will follow the instructions of the UCLA Police Department. “They are the primary agency involved,” he explained, “The LAPD will follow their orders. They are the primary responsibility. The LAPD will support them.”
“The LAPD is not primarily responsible for responding. UCLA is,” Zine continued. “When they report, LAPD units on patrol process calls, radio calls, 911 calls, other calls, and book reservations. We then deploy personnel near campus and they depart. After confirming that they are deployed, they make plans to enter the prison. Do they need to bring a bus to the prison? It’s all decided before they get on campus. ”
Anti-protest groups directly challenged anti-Israel groups calling for the encampment to be cleared. (Reuters/David Swanson)
The violence appeared to be instigated by a group of pro-Israel demonstrators demanding the removal of anti-Israel camps after school officials and law enforcement officials decided to allow them to continue.
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Anti-protest groups directly challenged anti-Israel groups calling for the encampment to be cleared.
On “Fox & Friends,” Tussi Gabbard said anti-Israel agitators are echoing calls by the Middle East’s Hamas and Hezbollah for universities to divest from Israel.
Early Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department led a multi-agency operation to restore order on campus.
UCLA has approximately 32,000 undergraduate students. Located in the Westwood neighborhood near Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: The headline and article have been updated to identify one of the groups involved as anti-protesters and pro-Israel protesters.
