University of California, Los Angeles, officials declared a pro-Palestinian encampment illegal for the first time Tuesday night, warning protesters that they would face serious consequences if they did not leave.
It was an abrupt about-face for one of the nation's most permissive campuses, adhering to the University of California's practice of avoiding law enforcement action unless “absolutely necessary to protect the physical safety of the campus community.” .
After protesters set up camp in the shadow of Royce Hall on Thursday, university officials did not intervene, saying they wanted to uphold free speech rights while minimizing disruption on campus.
But patience appears to have run its course after violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli supporters in recent days necessitated the intervention of campus police. Administrators also took issue with instances in which protesters used metal gates and human barriers to restrict access to campus corridors and entrances, videos of which were circulated on social media. did.
Prime Minister Gene Bullock said in a statement Tuesday that the tactics were “shocking and shameful” and that demonstrators who engaged in such acts could be suspended or expelled. Ta.
“UCLA supports peaceful protests, but we do not support activities that undermine our ability to carry out our academic mission or make people in our community feel bullied, intimidated, or fearful,” Block said. said. “These incidents have left many people on campus, especially Jewish students, in a state of anxiety and fear.”
In a statement, the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment, which said it was made up of students, faculty, staff and community members, called the university's declaration Tuesday night a “despicable intimidation tactic” and said it had no intention of disbanding.
“This repressive tactic is a continuation of a long history of attempts to shut down student movements and silence pro-Palestinian voices,” the group said. “We are not leaving. We will remain here until our demands are met.”
There was a greater presence of Jewish activists at UCLA than at demonstrations on other California campuses, and the dueling demonstrations were particularly violent.
On Sunday, the Israeli American Council, which has condemned pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses as “blatantly anti-Semitic,” hosted a rally at UCLA that drew thousands. Organizers set up a stage and large screen near the pro-Palestinian camp to lead prayers, host speakers and welcome performers singing Israeli pop songs.
However, emotions became intense, with shouting matches and scuffles occurring between the two sides, including an altercation after the camp barrier was breached.
“UCLA has a long history of being a place for peaceful protest, and we are saddened by the outbreak of violence,” Mary Osako, the university's vice president for strategic communications, said in a statement on the same day. announced that they would strengthen security.
Fresh fighting broke out between two groups of demonstrators on Monday night after about 60 pro-Israel demonstrators tried to invade a pro-Palestinian camp. Campus police officers had to break up the dispute.
Pro-Israel demonstrators began arriving at the camp soon after it was first established. In recent days, they have been waving Israeli flags, speaking through megaphones, playing music through loudspeakers and holding up photos of some of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.
On Tuesday, footage of a Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel was shown on a large screen near the encampment. At noon, a plane bearing a “Jewish Lives Matter” banner circled the campus.
Many Jewish organizations claim that the protests on campus have created a hostile atmosphere against Jewish students. The Israeli American Council responded by holding “support rallies” like Sunday's at UCLA across the country, including Wednesday's events in Atlanta and Orange County, California.
Asher Tuckson, a freshman at UCLA who is Jewish, said Sunday's rally gave him a much-needed boost.
“It was great. We felt like we were still here and they couldn't kick us out,” Takison said. “It was nice to see other Jews and Israelis singing and dancing to show that we are supported.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators said Tuesday that the daily protests at UCLA were mentally and emotionally draining.
“The actions and actions of these counter-protesters are indicative of the treatment of the local people in Gaza,” said Kaia Shah, a researcher and recent UCLA graduate. “The impact this had on the people in our encampment made them even more passionate about our cause.”