Pro-Palestinian protesters, counter-protesters clash at UCLA
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators scuffled with pro-Israeli counter-protesters Monday night at the University of California Los Angeles.
Video showed pushing, shoving and shouting between the groups around 11:30 p.m. when about 60 counter-protesters tried to breach the encampment, which is blocking public access to Royce Quad on the Westwood campus.
A handful of University of California police officers in riot gear responded to the area between Dickson Plaza and Powell Library with several security guards and forced the counter-protesters to move back.
Earlier in the evening, counter-protesters used a megaphone to shout and play music in front of the encampment.
Physical confrontations also broke out over the weekend outside the encampment of around 50 tents surrounded by wood and metal fencing.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators who are calling for a halt to the 200-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, and demanding UCLA divest all interests in Israel, have appointed guards to block access to the public and the media.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are blocking access to UCLA encampment
“I am all for protesting. They should be allowed to protest, but legally,” UCLA Professor Nir Hoftman said.
KTLA has reached out to the University to ask why protesters are being allowed to break its rules regarding on-campus demonstrations but has yet to hear back.
The University did make a statement about the weekend altercations:
“As an institution of higher education, we stand firmly for the idea that even when we disagree, we must still engage respectfully and recognize one another’s humanity. We are dismayed that certain individuals instead chose to jeopardize the physical safety of the community,” UCLA spokesperson Mary Osako said.
UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block released a statement, saying in part:
“Many of the demonstrators, as well as counter-demonstrators who have come to the area, have been peaceful in their activism. But the tactics of others have frankly been shocking and shameful. We have seen instances of violence completely at odds with our values as an institution dedicated to respect and mutual understanding. In other cases, students on their way to class have been physically blocked from accessing parts of the campus. With regard to these incidents, our student conduct process has been initiated, and could lead to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.”
It remains unclear how long the University plans to allow the encampment to remain in place.
The pro-Palestinian group says they will stay until all demands are met.
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