The police union representing University of California school officers is criticizing UCLA administrators for their “lack of response” to the violence that erupted during anti-Israel student protests on campus last week.
The union also called for an independent investigation into the response.
“University administrators are solely responsible for the university’s response to campus protests, and any consequences of that response are their responsibility,” Wade Stern, president of the Federal University Police Officers Association, said in a press release Saturday. ” he said.
Last week, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up camp on UCLA’s campus on Royce Quad, calling the university away from companies and organizations that are “complicit in the Israeli occupation, apartheid, and the genocide of the Palestinian people.” demanded that they withdraw.
UCLA students accuse university of ‘encouraging violence’ and turning campus into ‘war zone’: ‘This is shameful’
UCLA police were given permission to clear a large anti-Israel demonstration. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Early Wednesday morning, pro-Israel counter-protesters attacked the encampment and clashes began with anti-Israel demonstrators, Fox 11 reported. As part of the violence, fights broke out, fireworks were fired and items were thrown at demonstrators.
According to Fox 11, law enforcement initially waited until the violence unfolded. Local police in riot gear responded to the scene several hours later. Law enforcement eventually moved in and cleared the encampment, arresting more than 200 protesters.
“Ultimately, the encampment on Royce Quad was both illegal and a violation of our policies,” UCLA President Gene Block said in a statement Thursday. “The ability to perform the mission was impaired.” Mission. It needed to end. ”
Students told Fox 11 they are frustrated by the university’s lack of response. One campus security guard said UCLA “could have stopped this a long time ago.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) condemned the violence and called for an investigation into the university’s response.
UCLA descends into anarchy as counter-protesters clash with anti-Israel camp: ‘Horrifying act of violence’
Clashes erupted on May 1, 2024, around a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of California, Los Angeles, and universities across the country are struggling to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)
University of California President Michael Drake said in a statement Wednesday that he is “demanding a detailed explanation from the campus of what happened” and calling for “an independent external review of both UCLA’s plans and actions and the effectiveness of mutual aid.” I am commanding it.” response. “
The police union said in a statement Saturday that the investigation “certainly reveals multiple failures in implementing and adhering to the University of California’s own guidelines for responding to campus protests.”
The union said University of California policy states that each school is responsible for establishing a task force to respond to student protests on campus, but that task force has not been trained since 2020. He says he hasn’t. According to the union, the University of California and its campuses “do not fund training.”
California authorities condemn violent anti-Israel demonstrations at UCLA
On May 1, 2024, counter-protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt in Los Angeles. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)
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The union also claimed that administrators directed campus police to “stand back and stand aside” during campus protests. The union said a Jewish student who asked police for help because he was banned from the campus library was told by a dispatcher that administrators had instructed campus police not to intervene.
“UCLA administration has much to answer for in the upcoming investigation, and adherence to established guidelines should play a central role,” the union said in a statement.
