Counterprotesters carried out violent acts against a pro-Palestinian camp set up on the UCLA campus for hours before police intervened, according to a New York Times analysis of several videos of the events.
It began Tuesday night when the counterprotesters tried to break through barricades the pro-Palestinian protesters had set up to protect the temporary encampment. Battles erupted as protesters attempted to rebuild the barrier.
Some of the counterprotesters beat pro-Paelstinian protesters with sticks and boards, deployed chemical sprays and launched fireworks at the encampment, which was captured on videos published by the Times.
Counter protesters came to fight pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA.
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) May 1, 2024
No police in sight. pic.twitter.com/EFp45mHfYj
UCLA officials finally asked for the LAPD's help after some two hours of violence, according to the mayor's office.
But the Times reported that the violence continued for a total of five hours before any action was taken. When the responded they held back some 100 yards from the encampment for about an hour before moving in, according to the newspaper.
Shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, officers started moving in toward the encampment and the counterprotesters dispersed, ending most of the violence.
UCLA chancellor Gene Block has called the attack on the encampment by "instigators" unacceptable. It has "shaken our campus to its core," he said in a statement..
"I want to express my sincere sympathy to those who were injured last night, and to all those who have been harmed or have feared for their safety in recent days. No one at this university should have to encounter such violence," Block added.
Last night’s attack on our students, faculty and community members shook our campus to its core. Please read my message to the @UCLA community. https://t.co/jWfFWPFY3x
— Gene Block (@UCLAchancellor) May 1, 2024
The governor's office criticized campus law enforcement and is demanding answers about its response.
It was the second time in a few days that clashes broke out on the campus. On Sunday, fights erupted between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel supporters at the school.
Los Angeles police began dismantling plywood barriers around an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA early Thursday morning.
Protests have spread across U.S. college campuses calling on universities to divest from companies that support the war in Gaza.
