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Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of California campus

Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of California campus

By Mounira Magdy

Published: May 2, 2024

The police removed barriers and began dismantling the fortified camp of pro-Palestinian protesters early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles, after hundreds of demonstrators defied evacuation orders, some forming human chains as police launched flashbangs to disperse the crowds, resulting in the arrest of some individuals with their hands bound.

This action followed hours of officers threatening arrest over loudspeakers if people did not disperse. A crowd of more than 1,000 gathered on campus, either inside the fortified tent or outside, in support. Protesters clashed with police, demonstrating resistance as officers attempted to gain control, with videos showing police removing helmets and protective goggles worn by some demonstrators during their detainment.

With police helicopters hovering, the air was pierced by the sound of flashbang explosions, which create bright light and loud noise to disorient and stun people, as demonstrators chanted “Where were you last night?” to the officers, referring to Tuesday night when anti-protesters attacked the camp, prompting the University of California administration and campus police to take hours to respond.

Tents belonging to protesters demanding universities cease business dealings with Israel or companies they say support the war in Gaza sprang up across campuses nationwide in an unprecedented student movement this century. The crackdown from police mirrored events from decades ago against a much larger anti-Vietnam War protest movement.

In the Middle East, Iranian state television aired live footage of police actions, as did Qatar's Al Jazeera Arab satellite network. Live images of Los Angeles were also broadcast by Israeli television networks.

California highway patrol officers flooded the campus in hundreds early Thursday. They stood wearing face shields and vests, their batons drawn to separate them from demonstrators who donned helmets and gas masks, chanting "You want peace, we want justice."

The police methodically tore down wooden barriers, platforms, metal fences, and trash bins, opening a gap toward dozens of protesters' tents. Officers also began dismantling canopies and tents, and the number of protesters appeared to dwindle throughout the morning as some left voluntarily with their hands raised, while police arrested others.

The presence of law enforcement and ongoing warnings contrasted sharply with the scene on Tuesday night when counter-protesters attacked the pro-Palestinian camp, throwing traffic cones, spraying pepper spray, and tearing down barriers. Fighting continued for several hours before police intervened without making any arrests, leaving at least 15 protesters injured, and the lukewarm response from authorities sparked criticism from political leaders, as well as Muslim students and advocacy groups.

By Wednesday afternoon, a small city had emerged within the fortified camp, filled with hundreds of people and tents in the square. Protesters rebuilt temporary barriers around their tents while state and campus police observed.

Some demonstrators performed Muslim prayers as the sun set over the campus, while others chanted "We won't leave" or distributed protective goggles and surgical masks. They wore helmets and hijabs, discussing the best ways to deal with pepper spray or tear gas as one sang through a loudspeaker.

Outside the camp, a crowd of students, graduates, and neighbors gathered on campus steps, joining in pro-Palestinian chants. Nearby, a group of students demonstrated holding signs and wearing shirts in support of Israel and the Jewish people.

The crowd grew as night fell, with more and more officers streaming onto campus.

Ray Wiliani, a nearby resident, said he came to UCLA Wednesday night to support the pro-Palestinian protesters.

He added, "We need to take a stand on this. Enough is enough."

University of California Chancellor Gene Block promised to review the events of Tuesday night after California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the delayed response from law enforcement. University of California system President Michael Drake ordered an "independent review of the university's planning, actions, and the response of law enforcement."

Rebecca Al-Husseini, chief of staff of the Islamic Public Affairs Council, said at a news conference Wednesday, "The community needs to feel that the police are protecting them and not enabling others to harm them."

Meanwhile, police cleared protest camps elsewhere, leading to arrests, or they voluntarily closed on campuses across the United States. In New York, those camps included City College of New York, Fordham University, Stony Brook University, and the University at Buffalo. Other universities around the country included Portland State University in Oregon, the University of New Hampshire in Durham, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and Tulane University in New Orleans.

Police stormed the building occupied by anti-war protesters at Columbia University Tuesday night to disperse a demonstration that had paralyzed the university.

At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, a crowd erupted early Wednesday after police in riot gear removed all tents except for one and pushed protesters back, resulting in four officers being injured and four people charged with assaulting law enforcement.

In rare instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to limit disruptions to campus life and upcoming graduation celebrations. At Brown University in Rhode Island, officials agreed to consider voting on divestment from Israel in October - reportedly the first American college to agree to such a request.

The Associated Press counted at least 38 instances since April 18 where arrests were made in campus protests across the United States. More than 1,600 people have been arrested across 30 universities.

Demonstrations began on campuses nationwide on April 17 in response to the Israeli attack on Gaza, which followed Hamas' deadly assault in southern Israel on October 7. Militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and held nearly 250 hostages. Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas, killing more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the health ministry there.

Israel and its supporters have described the campus protests as anti-Semitic, while critics of Israel say it uses these claims to silence opposition. While some protesters have been filmed making anti-Semitic statements or violent threats, protest organizers, some of whom are Jewish, assert that it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war.

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