Riot police forcefully dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest on the UCLA campus, threatening them with arrests, just one night after violence was brought by counter-protesters in the same location.
Within the barricaded encampment, resembling a small city, hundreds of individuals congregated amidst tents on the campus. As dusk fell over the campus, some demonstrators prayed, while others voiced their determination to remain in place.
Protesters used protective gear such as helmets and headscarves, alongside discussions on strategies for managing potential confrontations with law enforcement, including the distribution of goggles and surgical masks.
Amidst these preparations, protesters rallied efforts to make homemade shields out of plywood in anticipation of potential clashes with the police.
At the same time, an assembly of students, alumni, and local residents congregated on the campus steps next to the pop-up camp, offering their support to various speakers while singing pro-Palestinian chants.
Close by, a smaller group of students, displaying signs and giving out T-shirts expressing solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community, conducted their own demonstration.
Despite hours of unrest, law enforcement intervention took a few hours, which was criticised by various political figures, Muslim student bodies, and advocacy organisations. The altercations left at least 15 protesters injured, prompting calls for accountability.
In the aftermath, community members, voiced their support for the pro-Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need for solidarity and action. The incident at UCLA coincided with similar confrontations unfolding nationwide, including police interventions at other universities and the dispersal of protest encampments, underscoring the contentious nature of the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses.
