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{{Current event||ongoing protest|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Quad pic12.png|thumb|UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment looking toward Powell Library from Royce Hall on April 30th, 2024]]
[[File:Quad pic12.png|thumb|UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment looking toward Powell Library from Royce Hall on April 30th, 2024]]
{{Infobox civil conflict
{{Infobox civil conflict

Revision as of 22:19, 30 April 2024

UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment looking toward Powell Library from Royce Hall on April 30th, 2024
2024 UCLA pro-Palestinian campus occupation
Part of the April 2024 Israel–Hamas war protests on United States university campuses
DateApril 25, 2024 – present
(4 months and 3 weeks)
Standort
Los Angeles, California, United States
Caused by
Goals
Methods
StatusOngoing:
  • Protestors take over multiple buildings and set up encampment on April 25
  • Counter-protestors briefly mount incursion into encampment on April 30
Parties

Pro-Palestinian groups:

Pro-Israel groups

UCLA pro-Palestinian encampment view of Royce Hall from the central plaza on April 30th, 2024

On April 25, 2024, an occupation protest began at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to protest the administration's investments in Israel. The occupation is part of pro-Palestine protests on university campuses campaigning for divestment from Israel.[1]

Background

On April 17, pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University began an occupation protest on its campus to protest Columbia's investments in Israel amid the Israel–Hamas war. The protest, as well as its forced dismantling (when university president Minouche Shafik authorized the New York City Police Department to storm the campus and conduct mass arrests) sparked a series of nationwide protests and encampments for divestment.[2] These demonstrations had the strongest presence on university campuses.[1]

UCLA has associations with organizations that invest in Israeli manufacturing companies.[3] UCLA also has investments in BlackRock, which does business in Israel and has holdings in weapon manufacturing companies.[1]

Timeline

April 25

On April 25, students and faculty set up the encampment. They released their list of demands, including UCLA’s divestment from companies that profit off the Israel-Hamas War, a disclosure of where the UC system is investing tuition money, the UC system to cut ties with city police departments who police student activism, an end to academic collaboration with institutions that are profiting and collaborating with Israel, and an immediate and permanent ceasefire.[4] Protestors erected wooden barricades and displayed signs that included slogans such as "UCLA says Free Palestine" and "UC has blood on it's hands." The 'Palestine Solidarity Encampment' group was set up, which includes the UC Divest Coalition, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. IfNotNow was also present at the protests.[5] The group posted online a list of demands for the administration, which includes divestment from Israel, calling for a ceasefire, and an academic boycott of Israel. Protestors in support of Israel surrounded the encampment.[6] Some minor skirmishes between protestors were reported.[7] Pro-Israel groups included the Israeli American Council and United Jewish Coalition.[8]

April 26

The administration released a statement saying that it prioritized the safety of students and minimizing disruption, but also that it supported free expression on campus and was therefore not requesting law enforcement at that time.[9] UCLA police patrolled the perimeter of the encampment.[10] Some Israeli and Jewish students said they felt uncomfortable. Pro-Palestinian protestors requested UCLA to not send in police.[7]

April 27

Counter-protestors raised more than $50,000 in three hours on GoFundMe to fund a screen and loudspeaker.[11]

April 28

The administration created a physical barrier to separate dueling protestors. Later in the day, demonstrators broke through and a confrontation ensued. It was unclear what side broke through the barrier, and the administration condemned the violence.[8] Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also clashed with police.[12]

Members of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice held a solidarity demonstration with the pro-Palestinian protestors.[12]

April 29

Faculty organized a walkout in solidarity with the protestors.[13] Pro-Palestinian protestors set up metal barricades and appointed guards to block access to counter-protestors and media.[14]

Faculty members holding a banner as they support the student protestors inside the encampment

Counter-protestors shouted through microphones and played loud music in front of the encampment early in the day. Later, a group of around 60 counter-protestors tried to breach the encampment, which led to heavy clashes. Security and UC officers with riot gear briefly intervened to separate the protestors.[14] During clashes, counter-protestors threw mice at the encampment.[15]

April 30

A brief altercation between campus security and a disabled man occurred when the man tried to walk through a pathway blocked by the protest. The man said he was aware of the demonstrations, but didn't know that major pathways were blocked.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Peace holds at UCLA pro-Palestinian protest despite tensions". ny1.com. New York 1. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Columbia University students galvanise worldwide pro-Palestinian demonstrations". newarab.com. New Arab. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Student organizations host rally demanding UCLA's divestment from Israel". dailybruin.com. Daily Bruin. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Pro-Palestinian Protesters At UCLA Build Encampment After Arrests At Similar USC Demonstration". LAist. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  5. ^ "NBC News". nbcnews.com. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli protesters support their respective causes at UCLA". nbclosangeles.com. NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Israel supporters counter protest pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA". nbclosangeles. NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Violence breaks out at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protests on UCLA campus". cbsnews.com. CBS News. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  9. ^ "UCLA statement about encampment on campus (April 26)". newsroom.ucla.edu. UCLA. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Anti-war protesters dig in as some schools close encampments after reports of antisemitic activity". apnews.com. AP News. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Counter-protests of UCLA encampment raise over $50,000 on GoFundMe". dailybruin.com. Daily Bruin. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Dueling Pro-Palestinian, Pro-Israel protests get heated at UCLA". dailynews.com. LA Daily News. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  13. ^ "UCLA faculty walk out as pro-Palestine demonstrations, counterprotests grow across SoCal campuses". dailynews.com. LA Daily News. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Pro-Palestinian protesters, counter-protesters clash at UCLA". ktla.com. KTLA. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Mice on the Frontlines – UCLA protesters are thrown mice". Coyote Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  16. ^ "UCLA security stops man with crutch from passing protest encampment". ktla.com. KTLA. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
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