Police again clashed with protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles as anti-Israel demonstrations returned to the campus.
Anti-Israel protesters again set up camp on university grounds on Thursday, occupying the space around the Kerkhof Patio.
Protesters erected wooden barricades, blocking access to parts of the campus, and authorities warned demonstrators to disperse “unlawful assembly” but were rebuked.
Around midday, multiple police departments worked together to quickly disperse the protest.
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Anti-Israel protesters again tried to take up space on the UCLA campus, first attempting to occupy outdoor spaces and then the university building, Dodd Hall. (Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Footage showed police and protesters engaged in various physical clashes.
“We have sufficient basis to determine that the activities of protesters, including erecting barricades, establishing fortifications and blocking access to parts of campus and buildings, are disrupting campus operations,” Vice Chancellor for Administration Michael Bex and Vice President for Campus Safety Rick Braziel said in a statement.
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University of California Police secured Dodd Hall after clearing anti-Israel protesters from the University of California, Los Angeles campus. The protests coincided with a congressional hearing on campus protests, in which UCLA Chancellor Gene Block testified. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The statement continued, “Demonstrators were informed that if they did not disperse they would face arrest and disciplinary action, and would be ordered to stay off campus for seven days.”
The recent wave of protests coincided with UCLA President Gene Block appearing before the House Education Committee for a hearing on anti-Semitism at US universities.
“In hindsight, we should have been prepared to immediately remove the encampment if the safety of the community was at risk,” Bullock told the committee.
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An anti-Israel protester holds a Palestinian flag during a demonstration at the University of California, Los Angeles, on May 23, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
Tensions came to a head on the UCLA campus on April 30, when police stormed into a much larger encampment and arrested more than 200 people.
A further 40 people were arrested on May 6, and sporadic protests have broken out since then.
