LOS ANGELES. Hundreds of police officers stormed into a central plaza at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), dismantling a pro-Palestinian protest camp in a pre-dawn operation on Thursday. The move followed a violent altercation the previous night instigated by pro-Israel supporters.
Tensions have been escalating on U.S. college campuses over protests concerning Israel’s actions in Gaza, culminating in clashes between students and law enforcement.
Live television broadcasts captured the police crackdown, revealing scenes of approximately six protesters under arrest, their hands bound behind their backs with zip-ties. The clash was punctuated by loud explosions from flash-bang charges fired by the police.
Demonstrators, armed with makeshift shields and umbrellas, attempted to resist the police advance, while others surrendered and were escorted away with hands raised. The encampment, which had attracted hundreds of protesters, became the focal point of the standoff.
Prior to the police intervention, tensions had escalated between the pro-Palestinian demonstrators and masked counter-protesters, resulting in a violent clash. The melee, which erupted late Tuesday night, prompted the university to cancel classes the following day.
Authorities attributed the disturbance to “instigators” and vowed to investigate the incident. However, criticisms emerged regarding the delayed response from campus law enforcement.
The protest at UCLA is part of a broader wave of demonstrations across U.S. campuses, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and advocating for divestment from companies supporting Israel’s government. These protests have sparked counter-demonstrations, with accusations of antisemitism levied against pro-Palestinian activists.
Wednesday night’s police action at UCLA mirrors similar crackdowns at other institutions, including Columbia University in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams reported around 300 arrests, predominantly for trespassing and criminal mischief.
The events at UCLA and other campuses underscore the heightened political tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, resonating even as far as the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
As of now, UCLA officials have announced limited operations on campus, with the fallout from the protest likely to reverberate for days to come.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
