Police destroys pro-Palestinian protesters’ encampments at UCLA, arrests dozens more across the country

Police forcibly removed numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrators at various universities on Thursday, including dismantling an encampment at UCLA in a dramatic scene highlighting the increased turmoil at campuses this week. In the early morning, helmeted police officers swarmed a tent city established at the University of California in Los Angeles, using flash bangs and riot gear to disperse protesters who had linked arms in an attempt to halt their advance. The Los Angeles police reported 210 arrests at UCLA and hundreds more across other universities overnight and into Thursday.

One protester at UCLA, identified only as Ryan, expressed his plea not to fail students as he was being taken away, with his hands bound. Hours later, Ryan returned to campus, vowing to continue the fight. “We will be back,” he said, having been cited for unlawful assembly. “We will be disrupting. We will be demanding divestment.”

Demonstrations have erupted at numerous universities in recent days against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Protesters are calling on President Joe Biden to take more action to stop the violence in Gaza and are demanding that schools divest from companies supporting Israel’s government. Many universities, including Columbia University, have called in law enforcement to quell the protests.

Biden addressed the demonstrations on Thursday, stating that while Americans have the right to protest, they do not have the right to incite violence. He emphasized that destructive actions such as vandalism, trespassing, and campus disruptions are not peaceful protests and are against the law.

At UCLA, police repeatedly urged demonstrators to clear the protest zone before moving in. Stun grenades were heard, and some protesters wore protective gear anticipating the police response. The aftermath of the raid left the plaza strewn with remnants of the encampment, and police remained on-site during the cleanup.

In Portland, Oregon, police entered the Portland State University library to remove protesters barricaded inside. Dozens were arrested, and additional arrests were made as protesters tried to retake the library later in the day. Similar incidents occurred in New Hampshire at Dartmouth University and the University of New Hampshire, resulting in approximately 100 arrests and the dismantling of encampments.

The protests come in response to Israel’s genocidal actions that have led to the killing of almost 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children and a humanitarian crisis. The demonstrations have also faced opposition, with counter-protesters accusing the pro-Palestinian side of promoting anti-Jewish sentiments.