At least 25 people were arrested after establishing several pro-Palestinian camps on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus on Monday, which police said were illegal, according to a statement from the Department of UCLA Police.
As a result of the encampments, the group damaged a fountain, spray-painted brick walkways, tampered with fire safety equipment, damaged patio furniture, ripped out wires from electrical equipment and vandalized vehicles, police said.
As protests spread across college campuses this spring denouncing Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza, the UCLA campus turned into a scene of brutality on April 30 when rival groups of protesters clashed violently.
An analysis of the CNN found that some of the most dramatic attacks filmed that night were committed by people outside UCLA — not the college students and professors who ended up being arrested.
But on Monday, a group of about 100 people associated with a student organization registered at UCLA set up a camp at the top of Janss Stairs around 3:15 p.m., according to campus police (UCPD).
The group resisted leaving the area after initial warnings, but left after UCPD issued several dispersal orders. Protesters relocated to Kerckhoff’s courtyard, where they “set up an unauthorized and illegal camp with tents, canopies and barricades with patio furniture,” police said.
The group also entered Moore Hall and disrupted final exams nearby, police said.
Another round of dispersal orders led the group to the courtyard between Dodd Hall and the Law School, where they set up a third camp, according to police.
UCLA Associate Professor Graeme Blair, a fellow at the Palestine Faculty of Justice, said a student went to a hospital after being injured by a rubber bullet – which Blair said was fired when the students were at the camp near Dodd Hall, the Los Angeles Times reported. Blair, who took part in the protests, criticized authorities, saying students were following orders to disperse throughout the night. CNN has reached out to Blair for comment.
These individuals were fined, ordered to stay away from UCLA property for 14 days and released, police said.
Another person was previously arrested during the setting up of the first camp for interfering with a police officer. That person was fined and released, UCPD said.
About 150 protesters remained in the area as of Monday night.
Tensions have been rising on the UCLA campus over how the university has responded to pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters in recent months. Faculty members are divided on whether Chancellor Gene Block “failed to ensure the safety of our students and mishandled the events.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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