Police Dismantle Pro-Palestinian Encampment At UCLA, Make Numerous Arrests In Turbulent Overnight Operation

UPDATE: TV morning shows were dominated by images this morning of the Los Angeles Police Department operation to dismantle a Pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA.

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This morning, officers in riot gear were lined up in front of an emptied Royce Quad, which was cleared overnight. Demonstrators were still lined up behind a barricade, but the encampment itself was a scene of downed tents and trash.

News outlets captured the turbulent scene as police moved in, using flares and flash bangs to help them disburse the demonstrators. There also was a scene of smoke, with demonstrators shooting off fire extinguishers at the approaching officers.

It was not immediately clear how many were arrested, but UCLA police had warned the demonstrators earlier that they would be detained if they refused to leave the encampment.

UCLA officials said all campus operations will be “limited” today and Friday.

Meanwhile, the board of the Pulitzer Prizes praised student journalists for their coverage of the protests, including those on the campus of Columbia University.

“As we gather to consider the nation’s finest and most courageous journalism, the Pulitzer Prize Board would like to recognize the tireless efforts of student journalists across our nation’s college campuses, who are covering protests and unrest in the face of great personal and academic risk. We would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary real-time reporting of student journalists at Columbia University, where the Pulitzer Prizes are housed, as the New York Police Department was called onto campus on Tuesday night. In the spirit of press freedom, these students worked to document a major national news event under difficult and dangerous circumstances and at risk of arrest.”

PREVIOUSLY: An unlawful assembly order has been given by law enforcement to a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA. The order sets the stage for a confrontation between entrenched protesters and officials if the encampment does not disperse.

The order today came after a violent attack on the encampment last night at UCLA.

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Police are marshalling forces around UCLA and have issued several orders to clear the area or face arrest. Police have been seen in riot gear.

The encampment has issued a call to the public to join them. Student supporters lined up arm in arm in an effort to prevent law enforcement from reaching the encampment.

Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters are flowing into the driving lanes in front of
Dickson Plaza at UCLA, chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be
free,” according to the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s campus newspaper.

UCLA officials say all campus operations will be “limited” tomorrow and Friday, and all normally in-person classes are “required to pivot to remote tomorrow and Friday.”

On Tuesday, UCLA saw a violent confrontation between pro-Israel counter-protesters and the pro-Palestinian encampment. The counter-protesters used fireworks on the encampment and brawls broke out. There were only a few UCLA police present and were overwhelmed.

It took three hours for California Highway Patrol officers and police from Los Angeles and other agencies to bring the situation under control.

Last week, police cleared an encampment at USC, arresting 90 people. However, the encampment returned over the weekend, and a tactical alert was issued by police. However, the encampment ended its occupation without incident and the alert was called off.

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