California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and other state officials running to replace him after his term expires have declined to comment on the anti-Israel protests at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley.
As of Wednesday morning, Newsom had not released a statement regarding his position on the campus protests.
Asked about the demonstrations during a news conference on a separate topic Tuesday, the governor said he and other state officials were “working with the administration.” [UC] Trustees,” according to KNBC.
“We want to preserve the right to protest without hate,” Newsom said.
Video of anti-Israel protesters disrupting a Jewish student’s class.University of California, Los Angeles responds
Newsom’s office has not issued a statement regarding the campus protests. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Members of the University of California Regents, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Salmon, declined to comment to KNBC. State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas also declined to comment on the campus protests.
Republicans have publicly criticized campus protests in California and across the country, calling them anti-Semitic. But Newsom and his Democratic colleagues sought to avoid the topic.
Violence continued at UCLA late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as anti-Israel and pro-Israel demonstrators clashed. Scuffles broke out, objects were thrown, and what appeared to be fireworks and pepper spray were fired.
According to KTLA, dozens of pro-Israel counter-demonstrators arrived around 10:45 p.m. and tried to break up some of the anti-Israel encampments on the UCLA campus before firing fireworks and what appeared to be pepper spray. It was used.
Campus police and several medical personnel appeared on the scene briefly and then left. But amid the violence, local and state police were initially conspicuously absent from UCLA’s campus for about two hours.
University of California reveals ‘true cost’ of anti-Israel mob takeover of academic facilities
Violence continued at UCLA late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as anti-Israel and pro-Israel demonstrators clashed. (Getty Images)
Los Angeles police were eventually called to the scene around 1 a.m. local time.
“Our office is closely monitoring the situation at @UCLA. Law enforcement leaders are in communication this evening and resources are being mobilized,” Newsom’s news office told the “There is,” he said.
On Monday, a student wearing a Star of David necklace was seen on video walking to class when a wall of what appeared to be masked anti-Israel protesters blocked her passage. .
“You guys have closed the entrance. We are students at UCLA. My ID is here. It’s you three, not the security guards, that are prohibited from entering,” Eli said. Tsives said while walking in the video. A fenced area with security guards. “They’re building a barrier. I’m coming over here.”
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Vice President for Strategic Communications Mary Osako issued a statement on Tuesday following several altercations on campus. She said the university took several steps in response to her altercation, including increasing the number of law enforcement, safety officers and student affairs monitors on campus.
Republicans have publicly criticized campus protests in California and across the country. (Getty Images)
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On Monday, Osako also responded to a report of a student who was being blocked by protesters as he tried to walk to class.
“This kind of disruption to our teaching and learning mission is abhorrent, plain and simple,” Osako said. “As such, we have taken several immediate steps. A student conduct process has been initiated, which can lead to severe disciplinary action, including expulsion and suspension. Barriers used to prevent this incident have been removed, and we have deployed staff around Royce Quad and have asked law enforcement to investigate to ensure it does not happen again.”
“While demonstrations have been largely peaceful, our campuses must remain places where we treat each other with respect and recognize our common humanity. No,” she added.
