At least 25 people apprehended as pro-Palestinian camps were set up at UCLA, according to authorities.
The aftermath of the recent protests at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) resulted in a series of incidents that caused damage and disruption to the campus. According to a statement issued by UCLA police, demonstrators defaced a fountain, spray-painted brick walkways, interfered with fire safety equipment, destroyed patio furniture, stripped wires from electrical fixtures, and vandalized vehicles.
During these protests, which took place on April 30th and condemned Israel's actions during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, UCLA's campus turned into a scene of brutality. The most severe attacks caught on camera were reportedly committed by people who weren't affiliated with the university.
On April 26th, UCLA saw a group of roughly 100 people set up encampments on Janss Steps at around 3:15 pm. The group refused to leave after being warned, prompting UCLA police to issue multiple orders for them to disperse. The protesters eventually left and shifted their encampment to the Kerckhoff patio, where they set up more tents, canopies, barricades with patio furniture.
This group also entered Moore Hall and disrupted the nearby finals, as stated by UCLA Police. They were then ordered to move away from this location, and the group established a third encampment in the courtyard between Dodd Hall and the School of Law.
During this time, one student was injured by a rubber bullet, and while he was near Dodd Hall. Graeme Blair, a UCLA faculty member and a member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine, defended the students, claiming that they had been following the dispersal orders throughout the day. Blair, who has participated in these protests, criticized the authorities for their handling of the situation. However, the UCLA police refused to comment on the arrests or clarify whether rubber bullets were used.
Approximately 25 people were arrested for disrupting the university's operations that night. They were cited, issued a 14-day stay-away order, and subsequently released. Earlier that day, one individual was arrested for interfering with a police officer during the setup of the first encampment.
There were roughly 150 protesters left on the UCLA campus by 10:30 pm that same day. Tensions have been heightening between faculty members over the university's handling of protester and counterprotester interactions. Some faculty members have expressed concerns that Chancellor Gene Block didn't adequately ensure the safety of the students and mismanaged the entire situation.
This story is still developing and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
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The arrested individuals, including some US students, were charged for disrupting the university's operations during the pro-Palestinian protests. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) community is divided, with some US faculty members criticizing the university's handling of the protesters and the subsequent arrests.
