Los Angeles, CA – Nearly a week after violence erupted on the campus of UCLA, Chancellor Gene Block announced Monday that the school is working with the Los Angeles Police Department and has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to hold those responsible for the melee accountable.
Tensions had been escalating outside the pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment since demonstrators took over Royce Quad on April 25, setting up tents and barricades. On April 30, pro-Israeli counter-protestors clashed with the encampment, leading to violence for hours until LAPD officers intervened.
The president of the University of California system, Michael Drake, reported 15 injuries from the confrontation, with one person requiring hospitalization. Despite the violence, no arrests were made, but Chancellor Block promised a thorough investigation.
Two days later, police dismantled the encampment and arrested several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Block reaffirmed the university’s commitment to holding the perpetrators of violence accountable through collaboration with law enforcement and the FBI.
The newly formed Office of Campus Safety at UCLA, led by former Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, detained 43 individuals in a parking structure for violating campus regulations. These regulations require identification to be shown to campus police during curfew hours.
Protests continued on campus, leading to the closure of classes and key university buildings. Demonstrations persisted, prompting the university to move all classes to remote learning. UCLA officials did not respond to inquiries regarding the arrests made on campus.
Chancellor Block reiterated the university’s dedication to investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to come forward. The actions taken by law enforcement and the university underscore the commitment to maintaining safety and upholding campus regulations amid ongoing tensions.