Antagonistic groups of protesters had a new confrontation this Monday night on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Videos showed pro-Palestinian protesters and anti-Israeli protesters as they They got involved between pushing and shouting around 11:30 pm this Mondayat the time when about 60 counterprotesters tried to break into the encampment, which blocks public access to the Royce Quad, on the Westwood campus.
UCLA security officers, in riot gear, responded to the attempted break-in by counter-protesters in the area between Dickson Plaza and the Powell Library with several guards, managing to contain the group and forcing them to retreat.
Keep reading: How the UCLA campus in Los Angeles reflects the tension generated in the US by the war in the Middle East
Earlier in the evening, pro-Israeli groups They used a megaphone to shout and play music in front of the camp.
The incidents occurred after some university professors held a march this Monday to show your support for pro-Palestinian protesters in the middle of the camp.
The campus had to hire hundreds of additional security officers to keep the two antagonistic groups separated, in addition to installing additional barricades.
Keep reading: Activists and academics call for dialogue at the University of Southern California
During the weekend there were also several physical attacks outside the camp of about 50 tents surrounded by wooden and metal fences.
Pro-Palestinian protesters calling for an end to the 200-day armed conflict between Israel and Hamas and also demanding that UCLA divest all of its interests in Israel, They have appointed guards to block access to the public and the media.
“I am totally in favor of protesting. They should be allowed to protest, but legally“said UCLA professor Nir Hoftman.
Keep reading: Los Angeles Police issue tactical alert in the city due to pro-Palestinian demonstration at USC
The university issued a statement regarding the incidents that occurred this weekend:
“As an institution of higher education, we strongly defend the idea that even when we disagree, we must respectfully engage and recognize the humanity of others. “We are dismayed that certain individuals chose to jeopardize the physical safety of the community,” said UCLA spokesperson Mary Osako.
Until this Tuesday morning, it was not clear How long does the university plan to allow the protest camp to remain on campus?.
According to the protesters, they will remain in place until all your demands are met.
UC Irvine and UC Riverside students join protests
Students of the California universities of Irvine and Riverside They joined the growing number of protests at university institutions across the country over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Keep reading: “It was very scary and intimidating,” says USC Jewish student
Until this Monday night, The protests on both campuses have been peacefulbut UC officials assured that they are closely following the actions taking place at both universities.
Some protesters at UC Riverside They demand that the university divest from companies that do business in Israelin addition to asking the institution to cut ties with the University of Haifa’s study abroad program.
“The university is complicit in this genocide with their donations and investments in weapons manufacturers and the Israeli regime,” said a student participating in the camp that was set up in the shadow of the bell tower of the university campus.
Keep reading: University of Southern California cancels major graduation
UC Riverside officials said, in a statement, that They are aware of the actions that are taking place on campus.
“We are monitoring the activity to ensure the safety of the university community. All operations on campus continue as usual,” they reported in their letter.
The students in UC Irvine also set up a solidarity camp with protests that have been held peacefully.
Keep reading: Mass arrests shake university campuses due to pro-Palestinian protests
In a statement, Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan called on the campus to respect the First Amendment rights of protesters.
“I’am asking to our law enforcement forces to withdraw. “I will not tolerate any violation of our students’ rights to peacefully assemble and protest,” the mayor said.
Keep reading:
· Protests over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza spread to more universities
· The shocking images of clashes between students and police in protests over Gaza at US universities.
· USC imposes restrictions on its campuses after arrest of 93 people in pro-Palestine protest