Police stormed the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Thursday morning, dismantling the pro-Palestinian encampment, and making over 200 arrests.
The protest, which joined the call for universities to cease associations with Israel amid the ongoing conflict, rapidly intensified Wednesday afternoon and evening. The encampment was declared unlawful by UCLA before a counter-protest resulted in violence, culminating in a significant law enforcement intervention early Thursday. Officers, equipped with riot gear, were met with chants of “You want peace. We want justice”.
The standoff, which lasted into the early hours, saw law enforcement deploying flash-bangs and disassembling barricades. This intervention is the latest in the developing series of mirror protests across the country. “This isn’t just about a single university. It’s a reflection of a larger, national discourse on human rights and international policy,” noted Ray Wiliani, a local resident and supporter.
Criticism has been directed towards the UCLA administration and law enforcement for their handling of the events. California Governor Gavin Newsom and UCLA Chancellor Gene Block both promised investigations into the response, which many, including Rebecca Husaini of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, deemed inadequate. “The community needs to feel the police are protecting them, not enabling others to harm them,” Husaini stated at a press conference.
The police crackdowns have raised questions about the balance between maintaining order and respecting the right to protest. While President Joe Biden defended the right to peaceful protest, he condemned the resulting disorder. “Dissent is essential to democracy, but it must never lead to denying others their rights,” he said, emphasizing the importance of nonviolent demonstration.
