Protesters supporting Palestine gathered at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) on Wednesday evening as police in riot gear arrived to dismantle their encampment. The LAPD had previously warned the activists to leave or face arrest, but they remained defiant, with supporters coming from across the city to show solidarity.
As tensions rose, the protesters held a rally chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “The people, united, will never be defeated.” However, some of their chants, like “From the river to the sea/Palestine will be free,” were deemed antisemitic. The encampment had been blocking entrance to campus and even resorting to violence against those who tried to pass through.
Following clashes between pro-Israel individuals and the protesters, authorities finally stepped in to address the situation. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block promised to take action against those involved in the violence, in contrast to the leniency shown towards the encampment in the previous week.
Overall, the situation at UCLA highlighted the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the need for proper management to prevent violence and discrimination.
