On Tuesday afternoon, campus police confronted pro-Gaza protesters at UCLA, the latest example of violent tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement policing the university.
Tuesday’s demonstration, which had proven orderly and peaceful as of 3 p.m., was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, a group that has organized similar protests in recent months. It has ultimately been thwarted by the police.
Student groups have called on UCLA to divest from the Israeli government and companies that do business with the Israeli government, but the University of California system has said it has no intention of doing so.
Video from Sky5 and photos posted on social media by campus news groups showed dozens of protesters wearing riot gear and brandishing batons surrounding Bruin Plaza.
On November 19, 2024, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on the UCLA campus to once again demand that UCLA divest from Israel. (KTLA) Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on the UCLA campus on November 19, 2024, once again demanding that UCLA withdraw from Israel. (KTLA)
The UCLA Police Department posted on social media that officers are “working to resolve” an issue where more than 100 people were blocking sidewalks at Bruin Plaza.
UCLA has a controversial “Times, Places, and Manners” policy regarding when and where students can exercise their First Amendment rights.
In October, one person was arrested after police broke up an “unsanctioned” demonstration that coincided with a Jewish holiday and a lecture with right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro.
There are no reports of arrests at this time.
