Anti-Israel protesters established a new encampment at UCLA’s campus on Monday, leading to a police response aimed at clearing the area.
The demonstrators set up tents at Dickson Plaza, the site of a previous encampment in April and May that lasted over a week before authorities intervened and arrested over 200 individuals, as reported by Fox 11 [1].
Reports from the scene indicated that protesters were carrying fake bloody bodies and body parts, adding a disturbing element to the demonstration.
Chanting the names of Palestinians who died in the conflict in Gaza, the protesters declared, “We will honor all our martyrs,” as documented by the Daily Bruin [2] campus newspaper.
Police officers lining up near the UCLA Pro Palestine protest. Carrying helmets, batons, at least two less lethal munitions.
Protesters lining up with shields, chicken wire, goggles. A drum in the background as they are chanting. pic.twitter.com/jjmcsEGrMP [3]
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 11, 2024 [4]
The protest action included demonstrators positioned at the top of the Janss Steps, blocking access into the plaza to prevent entry, according to Fox 11.
Both university police and campus security officers responded swiftly, utilizing bicycles as barriers to deter additional protesters from entering the designated area, as outlined in the Fox 11 report.
Despite multiple warnings to disperse given to the demonstrators, as detailed by ABC 7, the Los Angeles Police Department was eventually called to the campus and declared a tactical alert.
Several altercations unfolded on the campus between protesters and law enforcement, leading to at least one security officer receiving medical treatment, according to ABC 7 [5].
UCPD: Move!
Protester: move where?Some people caught in between and being shoved into another police line. One police line not moving. Another police line telling them to go in. Seeing some people bright red, it’s hard to breathe in here. More arrests. pic.twitter.com/3TuOlE6RIq [6]
— acatwithnews (@ACatWithNews) June 11, 2024 [7]
Adam Tfayli, the President of the Undergraduate Students Association Council, was reportedly detained by campus police shortly before 4 p.m., as reported by the Daily Bruin.
Behind Dodd Hall, a confrontation occurred resulting in the arrest of 27 protesters by campus police, corroborated by reports from KNX News.
#UCLAProtests [8] UPDATE…as protest ends LAPD confirms 27 protesters were arrested by UCLA police officers in a confrontation behind Dodd Hall on Monday evening. 25 were cited and released….two others were held for unknown reasons. Protesters dispersed after Midnight. @knxnews [9] pic.twitter.com/riOebJZdma [10]
— Pete Demetriou (@knxpete) June 11, 2024 [11]
The protest activities eventually subsided around midnight, according to KNX News, marking the end of the demonstration that sparked intense clashes on the campus.
Fox News Digital reached out to both campus police and LAPD for further details on the incident, but received no immediate response from either agency.
The demonstrations at UCLA occurred alongside similar protests at colleges across California and nationwide, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Hamas militants and Israeli security forces. The tensions erupted following Hamas’ attack against Israel on Oct. 7, triggering a series of military responses.
The protesters involved in these actions are advocating for their colleges to sever all business relationships with Israel, amplifying their stance against the ongoing conflict in the region.