2024 University of California, Los Angeles pro-Palestinian campus occupation
2024 UCLA pro-Palestinian campus occupation | ||||
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Part of the April 2024 Israel–Hamas war protests on university campuses in the United States | ||||
![]() UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment looking toward Powell Library from Royce Hall on April 30th, 2024 | ||||
Date | April 25, 2024 – May 2, 2024 (3 months and 4 weeks) | |||
Location | ||||
Caused by |
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Goals |
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Methods | ||||
Status | Protestors suppressed:
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Parties | ||||
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Casualties | ||||
Injuries | ||||
Arrested | 132+[3] |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Royce_picture.png/220px-Royce_picture.png)
On April 25, 2024, an occupation protest began at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to protest the administration's investments in Israel. The occupation, self-titled as the 'Palestine Solidarity Encampment',[4] was a part of pro-Palestine protests on university campuses campaigning for divestment from Israel.[5] The encampment was attacked multiple times by counter protestors, leading to clashes.[6] On May 2, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) raided and dismantled the encampment, arresting the protestors and ending the occupation.[3]
Background
On April 17, pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University began an occupation protest on its campus to protest Columbia's investments in Israel amid the Israel–Hamas war. The protest, as well as its forced dismantling (when university president Minouche Shafik authorized the New York City Police Department to storm the campus and conduct mass arrests) sparked a series of nationwide protests and encampments for divestment.[7]
UCLA has associations with organizations that invest in Israeli manufacturing companies.[8] UCLA also has investments in BlackRock, which does business in Israel and has holdings in weapon manufacturing companies.[5]
Timeline
April 25
On April 25, students and faculty set up the encampment. They released a list of demands, including UCLA’s divestment from companies that profit off the Israel-Hamas War, a disclosure of where the UC system is investing tuition money, the UC system to cut ties with city police departments who police student activism, an end to academic collaboration with institutions that are profiting and collaborating with Israel, and an immediate and permanent ceasefire.[9]
Protestors erected wooden barricades and displayed signs that included slogans such as "UCLA says Free Palestine" and "UC has blood on it's hands." The 'Palestine Solidarity Encampment' group was set up, which includes the UC Divest Coalition, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. IfNotNow was also present at the protests.[10] The group posted online a list of demands for the administration, which includes divestment from Israel, calling for a ceasefire, and an academic boycott of Israel.[11]
Members of pro-Israel groups included the Israeli American Council and United Jewish Coalition and other protestors in support of Israel surrounded the encampment.[11][12] Some minor skirmishes between protestors were reported.[13]
April 26–29
On April 26, the administration released a statement saying that it prioritized the safety of students and minimizing disruption, but also that it supported free expression on campus and was therefore not requesting law enforcement at that time.[14] UCLA police patrolled the perimeter of the encampment.[15] Some Israeli and Jewish students said they felt uncomfortable. Pro-Palestinian protestors requested UCLA to not send in police.[13] On April 27, pro-Israel counter-protestors raised more than $50,000 in three hours on GoFundMe to fund a screen and loudspeaker.[16] Jessica Seinfeld, the wife of American comedian Jerry Seinfeld also posted on her social media account on Instagram that she had donated $5,000 to the counter-protestors.[17]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/UCLA_FJP_2024.jpg/220px-UCLA_FJP_2024.jpg)
On April 28, the administration created a physical barrier to separate dueling protestors. Later in the day, demonstrators broke through and a confrontation ensued. It was unclear what side broke through the barrier, and the administration condemned the violence.[12] Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also clashed with police.[18] Members of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice held a solidarity demonstration with the pro-Palestinian protestors.[18]
On April 29, faculty organized a walkout in solidarity with the protestors.[19] Pro-Palestinian protestors set up metal barricades and appointed guards to block access to counter-protestors and media.[20] Counter-protestors shouted through microphones and played loud music in front of the encampment early in the day. Later, a group of around 60 counter-protestors tried to breach the encampment, which led to heavy clashes. Security and UC officers with riot gear briefly intervened to separate the protestors.[20] During clashes, counter-protestors released mice at the encampment.[21] In response to the attack, the Council on American–Islamic Relations called on UCLA administration to investigate it as a hate crime.[22]
April 30
A brief altercation between campus security and a disabled man occurred when the man tried to walk through a pathway blocked by the protest. The man said he was aware of the demonstrations, but didn't know that major pathways were blocked.[23] Later in the afternoon, the UCLA Chancellor Gene Block shared a message with the UCLA community addressing the situation, stating that UCLA was increasing security presence on campus, removing barriers established by the encampment, and that the "student conduct process has been initiated, and could lead to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion" for any UCLA faculty, staff or students involved.[24]
Video of a female Jewish student's bleeding head went viral.[25][better source needed] The student was admitted to the ER and is reported to be in stable condition. [26][27] The victim identified herself as Elinor Hess and claimed that she was shoved down when she reached to grab her flag, which fell down, and was kicked and pulled by the hair before she lost consciousness.[28]
In an email to students, UCLA announced the extended closure of Powell Library and Royce Hall from 5:00 pm Tuesday, April 30. The facilities are planned to reopen Monday, May 6. [citation needed]
May 1
In the early morning, a pro-Israel group attacked the pro-Palestinian protesters' camp, attempting to breach the barricades surrounding the encampment.[29][30] The attackers, reported to have come from outside of campus, carried Israeli flags and assaulted students with sticks, stones, poles, metal fencing, and pepper spray.[6][31] They played loud audio of a child crying, threw wood and a metal barrier into the camp, and shot fireworks into the encampment.[32][4] The counter-protestors called for a "Second Nakba", referring to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948.[33]
Fifteen people were reported injured, including one who was hospitalized.[1] Student journalists for the Daily Bruin described being targeted by the counter-protestors and were punched, kicked, and beaten.[2] Witnesses said the LAPD intervened after nearly four hours of attacks by the pro-Israel counter-demonstrators.[31] The counter-protestor group raised funds for the attack through GoFundMe, with Jessica Seinfeld and Bill Ackman donating $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.[34] Both the LAPD and the university's hired security faced criticism for not protecting the encamped students.[35]
In the evening, law enforcement in riot gear issued a dispersal order to over a thousand people who had gathered in support of the encampment, stating anyone who refused to leave could face arrest.[36]
May 2
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/LAPD_arresting_student_protestors.jpg/220px-LAPD_arresting_student_protestors.jpg)
Following the previous night's dispersal order, an estimated 200 students remained on campus.[37] At around 1:30 a.m., LAPD officers broke into the encampment but were forced to retreat after they were outnumbered. After an hour, officers of the California Highway Patrol equipped in riot gear arrived at the campus to confront the protesters.[38] Police reportedly fired a stun grenade, surrounded the encampment from all four sides, and began tearing down its walls,[39][40][41] arresting 132 protestors,[3] reportedly including at least one professor.[42] Police were seen firing rubber bullets at the student protestors[43][44] and methodically dismantling the encampment, that was cleared by the morning.[45][46]
Responses
Following the attack on the encampment by Pro-Israel counter-protestors on May 1, California governor Gavin Newsom stated, "The limited and delayed campus law enforcement response at UCLA last night was unacceptable — and it demands answers".[47][48] Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement saying police had responded to a request from UCLA administration,[31] later describing the violence as "abhorrent".[49]
At UCLA
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/CHP_Fencing.jpg/220px-CHP_Fencing.jpg)
In a statement, the protesters said, "The life-threatening assault we face tonight is nothing less than a horrifying, despicable act of terror. Law enforcement simply stood at the edge of the lawn and refused to budge as we screamed for their help."[50] One student speaking to CNN stated, "The police the university had hired, the private security guards, stared and watched as this happened".[51] Another student speaking to The Guardian said after being twice hit over the head, he "was left with stitches on his forehead and 14 staples in the back of his head".[49]
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block released a statement denouncing the May 1 conflict, stating "this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable",[52] describing the counter-protesters who attacked the encampment as "instigators".[49]
Faculty condemned the lack of a response to the counter-protestors, including Ananya Roy, who said, "The word is out they can do this repeatedly and get away with it. I am ashamed of my university.[4] A UCLA professor of Jewish history, David N. Myers, stated that "some of the attackers appeared to be carrying Israeli flags and other pro-Israel symbols", in reference to the violence.[49]
The administration released an email statement saying that they were "sickened" by the violence and that they called law enforcement to help control the situation. UCLA cancelled classes and alerted students that there would be "law enforcement presence stationed throughout campus."[53] Remote instruction was announced for Thursday and Friday classes.[54]
The Faculty for Justice in Palestine chapter at UCLA called for a labor strike on May 2, 2024.
Gallery
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Students in the Encampment before the police dismantled it
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Students resisting LAPD
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Police Staging at UCLA
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File:Students creating barriers to secure the Encampment.png
See also
- April 2024 Israel–Hamas war protests on university campuses in the United States
- 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian campus occupation
- Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
- Student protest
References
- ^ a b "College protests live updates: UCLA cancels classes; 300 arrested in New York". Associated Press. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Shalby, Colleen (May 1, 2024). "Four UCLA student journalists attacked by pro-Israel counterprotesters on campus". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Ramirez, Rachel; Yan, Holly (2024-05-02). "132 people arrested at UCLA campus Thursday". CNN. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ a b c Watanabe, Teresa; Nazzal, Safi (2024-05-01). "Violence stuns UCLA as counter-protesters attack pro-Palestine camp". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ a b Mendez, David (April 26, 2024). "Peace holds at UCLA pro-Palestinian protest despite tensions". ny1.com. New York 1. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b Swanson, David (May 1, 2024). "UCLA campus protests over Gaza war erupt into violent clashes between rival groups". Reuters. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Brooke (24 April 2024). "Columbia University students galvanise worldwide pro-Palestinian demonstrations". newarab.com. New Arab. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Student organizations host rally demanding UCLA's divestment from Israel". dailybruin.com. Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Sievertson, Makenna (2024-04-25). "Pro-Palestinian Protesters At UCLA Build Encampment After Arrests At Similar USC Demonstration". LAist. Archived from the original on 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ Alsharif, Mirna (29 April 2024). "Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at campuses as colleges crack down on encampments". NBC News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b Jeong, Helen; Cazares, Christian (25 April 2024). "Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli protesters support their respective causes at UCLA". nbclosangeles.com. NBC Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b Salem, Iris (28 April 2024). "Violence breaks out at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protests on UCLA campus". cbsnews.com. CBS News. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b Gonzalez, Jonathan (27 April 2024). "Israel supporters counter protest pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA". nbclosangeles. NBC Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "UCLA statement about encampment on campus (April 26)". newsroom.ucla.edu. UCLA. April 26, 2024. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Pollard, James; Casey, Michael (27 April 2024). "Anti-war protesters dig in as some schools close encampments after reports of antisemitic activity". apnews.com. AP News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Hamilton, Catherine (April 27, 2024). "Counter-protests of UCLA encampment raise over $50,000 on GoFundMe". dailybruin.com. Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Jerry Seinfeld's Wife Donates $5,000 to Pro-Israel UCLA Rally". Newsweek.com. April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Dueling Pro-Palestinian, Pro-Israel protests get heated at UCLA". dailynews.com. LA Daily News. 28 April 2024. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Harter, Clara (29 April 2024). "UCLA faculty walk out as pro-Palestine demonstrations, counterprotests grow across SoCal campuses". dailynews.com. LA Daily News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b Kurzweil, Tony (30 April 2024). "Pro-Palestinian protesters, counter-protesters clash at UCLA". ktla.com. KTLA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Flores, Jacqueline (April 29, 2024). "Mice on the Frontlines – UCLA protesters are thrown mice". Coyote Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "UCLA campus protests: Pro-Palestinian camp attacked, classes canceled - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. 2024-05-01. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Kurzweil, Tony (30 April 2024). "UCLA security stops man with crutch from passing protest encampment". ktla.com. KTLA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ Block, Gene (April 30, 2024). "Affirming our Values in a Challenging Time". UCLA Chancellor. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "'Jewish women too ugly to be raped', anti-Israel protester's hate caught on camera". Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "On Camera, Anti-Israel Protester In Canada Says 'Jewish Women Too Ugly To Be Raped'". CNN-News18. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Dueling Gaza protests at UCLA draw hundreds as USC sees peaceful demonstration". Los Angeles Times. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Pro-Israel protester in LA says she was shoved to ground, hit her head and was kicked". Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Cota-Robles, Marc (2024-05-01). "Clashes break out at UCLA amid dueling demonstrations". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Ramirez-Simon, Diana (May 1, 2024). "Violence erupts at UCLA campus between rival Gaza protest groups". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "UCLA clashes: Pro-Palestinian protesters attacked by Israel supporters". Al Jazeera. May 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Dani, Anguiano. "UCLA students describe violent attack on Gaza protest encampment: 'It was terrifying'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Stieb, Matt (2024-05-01). "Counterprotesters Shoot Fireworks Into UCLA Encampment". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Briquelet, Kate (2024-05-01). "Jessica Seinfeld and Bill Ackman Fund Pro-Israel Counterprotests at Colleges". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Morris, Regan; Cabral, Sam. "UCLA clashes: Police criticised for 'delayed' response to violence". BBC. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Offenhartz, Jake. "Tension grows on UCLA campus as police order dispersal of large pro-Palestinian gathering". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "LAPD on tactical alert as some 200 students defy dispersal order". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Pro-Palestinian protesters remain at UCLA despite orders to leave". KABC-TV. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Flashbang used as reports police enter encampment". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "LAPD tearing down pro-Palestine encampment". KTTV. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Police have surrounded encampment on all four sides". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "What's happened so far?". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Police shown firing rubber bullets at protesters". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Skinner, Anna (2024-05-02). "Police shoot at UCLA protesters as encampment cleared". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Pearson, Ryan. "Police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash in tense scene at UCLA encampment". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Valinksy, Jordan. "Police take control of UCLA encampment". CNN. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Grimes, Christopher. "UCLA cancels classes as clashes over Gaza war spread across US campuses". Financial Times. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Noah; Winton, Richard; Lin, Summer (2024-05-01). "'Unacceptable': Why it took hours for police to quell attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian camp". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ a b c d Anguiano, Dani; Beckett, Lois; Ramirez-Simon, Diana (2024-05-02). "UCLA chancellor condemns 'instigators' who attacked pro-Palestinian camp on campus". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Dai-Liu, Anna; Winward, Dylan. "Pro-Israel counter-protesters attempt to storm encampment, sparking violence". The Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Tucker, Emma (May 2024). "UCLA pro-Palestinian protesters say their encampment was attacked as university "did nothing"". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Condemning Violence in our Community". Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth; Magramo, Kathleen; Faheid, Dalia; Radford, Antoinette; Tucker, Emma; Cooban, Anna; Ramirez, Rachel; Duster, Chandelis (2024-05-01). "Live updates: Pro-Palestinian university protests at Columbia, UCLA, UT, campuses amid Israel's war in Gaza". CNN. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Campus Activity Updates (May 1st @ 6:30PM)". Bruins Safe Online. May 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Calling all Faculty! No Work on Thursday May 2nd". May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
External links
Media related to 2024 UCLA pro-Palestinian campus occupation at Wikimedia Commons
- 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment protests
- 2024 controversies in the United States
- 2024 in Los Angeles
- April 2024 events in the United States
- May 2024 events in the United States
- Anti-Israeli sentiment
- Anti-war protests in the United States
- Anti-Zionism in the United States
- Israel–Hamas war protests in the United States
- History of the University of California, Los Angeles
- Media bias controversies
- Palestinian solidarity movement
- Peace camps