UCLA security stops man with crutch from passing protest encampment
UCLA campus security guards were captured on video physically stopping a man with a crutch from accessing a public walkway outside a pro-Palestinian encampment that has overtaken Dickson Plaza since last Thursday.
The encampment and a security buffer block one of the school’s main entrances to Powell Library, forcing students and members of the public to take a less direct route to a different entrance.
Video taken Tuesday morning shows the man trying to push through the barricade as several security members physically stop him.
The man, who says he is disabled, goes to the ground and has his crutch kicked away from him.
He eventually gets back up and is seen walking toward a security guard holding the crutch, but the guard throws it to the ground, apparently to avoid further confrontation.
“I’m a disabled guy. I’m simply just trying to get to the other side,” said the man, who identified himself as an alumnus of the school but did not want to share his name.
He said he was aware of the demonstration but “had no idea” that major pathways were blocked.
“I figured they’d at least have something open for people with wheelchairs,” he told KTLA 5 News reporter Carlos Herrera.
He said campus security told him he could not use the walkway over concerns for his safety.
“They’re trying to say my safety, but frankly, they’re the ones who just tackled me and hurt me. I’m bleeding. So, I honestly don’t know what kind of safety they’re talking about,” he said.
The incident follows a night of confrontations between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protestors on the sprawling Westwood campus.
A group of about 60 counterprotesters tried to get through the pro-Palestinian barricade Monday night and were stopped by the demonstrators. Eventually, officers in riot gear responded to the situation and separated the two sides.
KTLA has repeatedly asked school officials why the demonstrators are allowed to block public areas of the campus against school policy but has not yet received a response.
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Officials did post information on Bruins Safe Online identifying the areas on campus that should be avoided.
“We remain committed to supporting the safety and wellbeing of Bruins, supporting the free expression rights of our community, and minimizing disruption to our teaching and learning mission,” a portion of the statement read.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are calling for a halt to the 200-day conflict between Israel and Hamas and demanding UCLA divest all interests in Israel.
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