Hundreds of police in riot gear are gathered on UCLA campus
If you’re just joining us, here’s a reminder of how things stand at UCLA, just after 9pm local time.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers are massed on the campus in preparation to clear out a pro-Palestinian protest camp. Police in tactical gear filed in from later afternoon on Wednesday, filling a square adjacent to the complex of tents occupied by throngs of demonstrators.
Hundreds of other pro-Palestinian activists have assembled outside the tent city and are jerring police with chants of “Shame on you,” some banging on drums and waving Palestinian flags.
Before moving in, police with a loudspeaker urged the demonstrators to clear the protest area or face arrest.
UCLA had canceled classes for the day following a violent clash late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning between the encampment’s occupants and a group of masked counter-demonstrators who mounted an assault on the tent city with sticks and poles.
Key events
Tensions continue to grow at the University of California where hundreds of police in riot gear have gathered after warning pro-Palestinian protesters to disperse or face arrest, a day after their encampment was violently attacked by masked counter-protesters.
Police began forming lines near the encampment at the Los Angeles campus and ordered the dispersal of more than a thousand people who had gathered in support of the protesters on Wednesday night, warning over loudspeakers that anyone who refused to leave could face arrest.
In California, a large crowd of students, alumni and neighbors gathered on campus steps outside the barricaded area of tents, sitting as they listened and applauded various speakers and joined in pro-Palestinian chants.
The protest movement that emerged from US university campuses has spread around the world in recent days.
In the UK, a fresh wave of student demonstrations is under way at universities in protest over the war in Gaza.
Protests reportedly took place in at least six universities on Wednesday, including Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle, with others expected to follow suit, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians.
Like the American demonstrations, students in the UK are also calling for their individual universities to divest from firms that supply arms to Israel and in some cases sever links with universities in Israel.
Students at four Australian universities have said they are committed to permanently occupying university land until their demands for divestment are met.
University of Sydney students set up a camp more than a week ago and a rally last Wednesday drew about 200 people.
The movement has since spread in Australia: the University of Melbourne joined on a week ago, while camps were established on Monday at the University of Queensland and the Australian National University in Canberra.
The students in Australia want disclosure of and divestment from all university activities that support Israel, as well as a ceasefire and the end of government ties to the Jewish state.
California Highway Patrol officers are on the scene at UCLA, along with LA police officers, according to a Fox News reporter who is present on the campus.
Bill Melugin says that the highway patrol officers are “yards away” from the protest camp and are armed with “non lethal weapons”.
More CHP in crowd control gear w/ non lethal weapons arriving yards away from the UCLA encampment. LAPD continues to secure the perimeter where hundreds of pro Palestinian protesters have gathered. pic.twitter.com/HC72J2PKNb
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
UCLA’s student paper is reporting that the around 20 highway patrol officers are present, in what they say is the closest law enforcement has come to the encampment tonight.
Just over 24 hours after police cleared out student protesters who had been occupying an academic building at Columbia University, some demonstrators are reported to have returned.
On Wednesday evening, Columbia Students for Justice posted images online of messages projected onto Hamilton Hall – the Columbia building that was raided by police on Tuesday evening.
The slogans “Escalate for Gaza”, and “Students of the world unite” were projected onto the side of the building as a crowd gathered on to watch.
Huge crowds of protesters remain at UCLA, cordoned off from the main encampment.
Emily Holshouser, a reporter at the scene, says it “feels like a standoff”.
Everyone is tense and tired. It’s unclear when or if anything will change.”
This is the scene as we approach 9:30. “This is a peaceful protest. We are unarmed,” protesters chant. Reporters have no clue who is in charge. Everyone is tense and tired. It’s unclear when or if anything will change. pic.twitter.com/loTXhoAeAH
— Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) May 2, 2024
Over 1,000 protesters present on campus at UCLA
The Associated Press is reporting that over 1,000 protesters are present on campus.
A small city has sprung up inside the barricaded encampment at UCLA, full of hundreds of people and tents on the campus quad.
According to AP, some protesters prayed as the sun set over the campus, while others chanted “we’re not leaving” or passed out goggles and surgical masks.
Demonstrators are wearing helmets and headscarves, and are discussing the best ways to handle pepper spray or tear gas, as police continue to tell them to disperse.
A few protesters have constructed homemade shields out of plywood in case of clashes with police.
Inside the UCLA’s Royce Hall, protesters at the encampment set up by pro-Palestinian students and activists are continuing to chant.
Outside, law enforcement officers continue to gather. Both protesters and onlookers are reporting that they expect police to enter the encampment soon.
Hundreds of police in riot gear are gathered on UCLA campus
If you’re just joining us, here’s a reminder of how things stand at UCLA, just after 9pm local time.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers are massed on the campus in preparation to clear out a pro-Palestinian protest camp. Police in tactical gear filed in from later afternoon on Wednesday, filling a square adjacent to the complex of tents occupied by throngs of demonstrators.
Hundreds of other pro-Palestinian activists have assembled outside the tent city and are jerring police with chants of “Shame on you,” some banging on drums and waving Palestinian flags.
Before moving in, police with a loudspeaker urged the demonstrators to clear the protest area or face arrest.
UCLA had canceled classes for the day following a violent clash late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning between the encampment’s occupants and a group of masked counter-demonstrators who mounted an assault on the tent city with sticks and poles.
Hundreds have gathered outside the protest encampment in support of demonstrators, Constanza Montemayor, a journalist with UCLA’s student paper has reported.
Police have used barriers to separate the crowd from the tent camp and have deployed as many as 100 officers between them as well.
Hundreds of protestors have gathered around the encampment. Police presence has strongly increased over the last few hours, and helicopters remain overhead. pic.twitter.com/cWZH64EFok
— Constanza Montemayor (@ConzMontemayor) May 2, 2024
Police continue to gather on Dickson Plaza in UCLA. The plaza is the site of the main protest camp and was also the location in which violent clashes erupted less than 24 hours ago.
Local media are reporting that hundreds of police are present on the campus, with at least 100 having taken up position in front of the protest camp at UCLA.
Protesters continue to chant from within the encampment, despite the gathering police presence.
Police have now cordoned off sections of the UCLA campus, creating a buffer between the Pro-Palestinian encampment and the large group of students and alumni who have gathered in support of protesters.
Police – some in riot gear – are lined up between the two groups.
According to a Fox News reporter on the scene, tensions are building. The crowd is reportedly chanting “shame on you” and “LAPD KKK”.
Crowd chanting “shame on you” and “LAPD KKK” as a large number of LAPD officers continue to arrive just outside of the UCLA encampment on campus. Tension building bigtime. pic.twitter.com/MDBBW602Qb
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
US police expand efforts to dismantle student protests across the country
As protesters at UCLA are told to disperse and police move further on to the campus, a quick reminder of the speed in which authorities have moved in to shut down protests across the country in the last 24 hours.
On Wednesday alone, police launched operations to dismantle protests in New York, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisiana and Arizona.
That comes after the large operations at Columbia University and City College of New York on Tuesday evening.
An Associated Press tally counted at least 38 times since 18 April in which arrests were made at campus protests.
According to AP, more than 1,600 people have been arrested at 30 schools.
As well as at UCLA, authorities at Portland State University are also reportedly warning student demonstrators to leave immediately.
Crowds of students, alumni and neighbors continue to gather at UCLA, outside the barricaded area of tents. AP is reporting that they sat and applauded at various speakers and joined in pro-Palestinian chants.
Ray Wiliani, who lives nearby, told AP he came to UCLA on Wednesday evening to support the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
“We need to take a stand for it,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
A small group of students holding signs and wearing T-shirts in support of Israel and Jewish people gathered nearby the protest camp.
It’s almost 8.30pm in LA and police in riot gear are reportedly forming lines and moving in closer to the protest encampment at UCLA.
Matthew Lewis Royer, a journalists with UCLA’s student newspaper, posted the below image of the situation on campus now.
A large number of police in riot gear are now arriving at the UCLA campus, according to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin who is at the scene.
He posted a video of students watching as police made their way onto campus.
BREAKING: Per LAPD source, LAPD has just gone into a citywide tactical alert as tension builds at UCLA campus. Larger numbers of LAPD in riot gear now arriving on campus near the encampment. pic.twitter.com/cjLlS0iofH
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
Despite the warning to disperse or face arrest, protests at UCLA only appear to have grown throughout the afternoon.
Protesters largely stayed in place, according to an AP reporter, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Police stood by strapping on riot gear.
UCLA posted on X that campus operations will be limited Thursday and Friday with all classes required to pivot to remote instruction. The post urged people to continue avoiding campus and the Royce Quad area.
As Los Angeles County Sheriff’s marshalled near the protest encampments, some people prayed in front of where they gathered.
Summarize this content to 100 words Hundreds of police in riot gear are gathered on UCLA campusIf you’re just joining us, here’s a reminder of how things stand at UCLA, just after 9pm local time.Hundreds of law enforcement officers are massed on the campus in preparation to clear out a pro-Palestinian protest camp. Police in tactical gear filed in from later afternoon on Wednesday, filling a square adjacent to the complex of tents occupied by throngs of demonstrators.Law enforcement officers take position before entering the pro-Palestinian protest encampment. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersHundreds of other pro-Palestinian activists have assembled outside the tent city and are jerring police with chants of “Shame on you,” some banging on drums and waving Palestinian flags.Before moving in, police with a loudspeaker urged the demonstrators to clear the protest area or face arrest.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators lock arms on the UCLA campus. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APUCLA had canceled classes for the day following a violent clash late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning between the encampment’s occupants and a group of masked counter-demonstrators who mounted an assault on the tent city with sticks and poles.ShareKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureTensions continue to grow at the University of California where hundreds of police in riot gear have gathered after warning pro-Palestinian protesters to disperse or face arrest, a day after their encampment was violently attacked by masked counter-protesters.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather on the UCLA campus. Photograph: Ethan Swope/APPolice began forming lines near the encampment at the Los Angeles campus and ordered the dispersal of more than a thousand people who had gathered in support of the protesters on Wednesday night, warning over loudspeakers that anyone who refused to leave could face arrest.In California, a large crowd of students, alumni and neighbors gathered on campus steps outside the barricaded area of tents, sitting as they listened and applauded various speakers and joined in pro-Palestinian chants.ShareThe protest movement that emerged from US university campuses has spread around the world in recent days.In the UK, a fresh wave of student demonstrations is under way at universities in protest over the war in Gaza.Protests reportedly took place in at least six universities on Wednesday, including Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle, with others expected to follow suit, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians.University of Manchester students who have set up an encampment on the campus calling on the university to break links with BAE and Tel Aviv university. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianLike the American demonstrations, students in the UK are also calling for their individual universities to divest from firms that supply arms to Israel and in some cases sever links with universities in Israel.Students at four Australian universities have said they are committed to permanently occupying university land until their demands for divestment are met.University of Sydney students set up a camp more than a week ago and a rally last Wednesday drew about 200 people.The movement has since spread in Australia: the University of Melbourne joined on a week ago, while camps were established on Monday at the University of Queensland and the Australian National University in Canberra.Sydney University students have set up a camp in support of the Palestinian people suffering from the war in Gaza. Photograph: The GuardianThe students in Australia want disclosure of and divestment from all university activities that support Israel, as well as a ceasefire and the end of government ties to the Jewish state.ShareCalifornia Highway Patrol officers are on the scene at UCLA, along with LA police officers, according to a Fox News reporter who is present on the campus.Bill Melugin says that the highway patrol officers are “yards away” from the protest camp and are armed with “non lethal weapons”.More CHP in crowd control gear w/ non lethal weapons arriving yards away from the UCLA encampment. LAPD continues to secure the perimeter where hundreds of pro Palestinian protesters have gathered. pic.twitter.com/HC72J2PKNb— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024UCLA’s student paper is reporting that the around 20 highway patrol officers are present, in what they say is the closest law enforcement has come to the encampment tonight.ShareJust over 24 hours after police cleared out student protesters who had been occupying an academic building at Columbia University, some demonstrators are reported to have returned.On Wednesday evening, Columbia Students for Justice posted images online of messages projected onto Hamilton Hall – the Columbia building that was raided by police on Tuesday evening.The slogans “Escalate for Gaza”, and “Students of the world unite” were projected onto the side of the building as a crowd gathered on to watch.ShareHuge crowds of protesters remain at UCLA, cordoned off from the main encampment.Emily Holshouser, a reporter at the scene, says it “feels like a standoff”.
Everyone is tense and tired. It’s unclear when or if anything will change.”
This is the scene as we approach 9:30. “This is a peaceful protest. We are unarmed,” protesters chant. Reporters have no clue who is in charge. Everyone is tense and tired. It’s unclear when or if anything will change. pic.twitter.com/loTXhoAeAH— Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) May 2, 2024
ShareOver 1,000 protesters present on campus at UCLAThe Associated Press is reporting that over 1,000 protesters are present on campus.A small city has sprung up inside the barricaded encampment at UCLA, full of hundreds of people and tents on the campus quad.Supporters of the pro-Palestinian protesters sit on stairs leading to an encampment at UCLA. Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty ImagesAccording to AP, some protesters prayed as the sun set over the campus, while others chanted “we’re not leaving” or passed out goggles and surgical masks.Demonstrators are wearing helmets and headscarves, and are discussing the best ways to handle pepper spray or tear gas, as police continue to tell them to disperse.A few protesters have constructed homemade shields out of plywood in case of clashes with police.ShareInside the UCLA’s Royce Hall, protesters at the encampment set up by pro-Palestinian students and activists are continuing to chant.Protesters are seen in the colonnade of Royce Hall. Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty ImagesOutside, law enforcement officers continue to gather. Both protesters and onlookers are reporting that they expect police to enter the encampment soon.Law enforcement officers gather. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersShareHundreds of police in riot gear are gathered on UCLA campusIf you’re just joining us, here’s a reminder of how things stand at UCLA, just after 9pm local time.Hundreds of law enforcement officers are massed on the campus in preparation to clear out a pro-Palestinian protest camp. Police in tactical gear filed in from later afternoon on Wednesday, filling a square adjacent to the complex of tents occupied by throngs of demonstrators.Law enforcement officers take position before entering the pro-Palestinian protest encampment. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersHundreds of other pro-Palestinian activists have assembled outside the tent city and are jerring police with chants of “Shame on you,” some banging on drums and waving Palestinian flags.Before moving in, police with a loudspeaker urged the demonstrators to clear the protest area or face arrest.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators lock arms on the UCLA campus. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APUCLA had canceled classes for the day following a violent clash late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning between the encampment’s occupants and a group of masked counter-demonstrators who mounted an assault on the tent city with sticks and poles.ShareHundreds have gathered outside the protest encampment in support of demonstrators, Constanza Montemayor, a journalist with UCLA’s student paper has reported.Police have used barriers to separate the crowd from the tent camp and have deployed as many as 100 officers between them as well.Hundreds of protestors have gathered around the encampment. Police presence has strongly increased over the last few hours, and helicopters remain overhead. pic.twitter.com/cWZH64EFok— Constanza Montemayor (@ConzMontemayor) May 2, 2024
SharePolice continue to gather on Dickson Plaza in UCLA. The plaza is the site of the main protest camp and was also the location in which violent clashes erupted less than 24 hours ago.Police gather at UCLA. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersShareLocal media are reporting that hundreds of police are present on the campus, with at least 100 having taken up position in front of the protest camp at UCLA.Law enforcement officers take position at UCLA. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersProtesters continue to chant from within the encampment, despite the gathering police presence.Law enforcement officers at UCLA. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersSharePolice have now cordoned off sections of the UCLA campus, creating a buffer between the Pro-Palestinian encampment and the large group of students and alumni who have gathered in support of protesters.Police – some in riot gear – are lined up between the two groups.According to a Fox News reporter on the scene, tensions are building. The crowd is reportedly chanting “shame on you” and “LAPD KKK”.Crowd chanting “shame on you” and “LAPD KKK” as a large number of LAPD officers continue to arrive just outside of the UCLA encampment on campus. Tension building bigtime. pic.twitter.com/MDBBW602Qb— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
ShareUS police expand efforts to dismantle student protests across the countryAs protesters at UCLA are told to disperse and police move further on to the campus, a quick reminder of the speed in which authorities have moved in to shut down protests across the country in the last 24 hours.On Wednesday alone, police launched operations to dismantle protests in New York, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisiana and Arizona.That comes after the large operations at Columbia University and City College of New York on Tuesday evening.An Associated Press tally counted at least 38 times since 18 April in which arrests were made at campus protests.According to AP, more than 1,600 people have been arrested at 30 schools.As well as at UCLA, authorities at Portland State University are also reportedly warning student demonstrators to leave immediately.ShareCrowds of students, alumni and neighbors continue to gather at UCLA, outside the barricaded area of tents. AP is reporting that they sat and applauded at various speakers and joined in pro-Palestinian chants.Protesters gather at the University of California Los Angeles. Photograph: David Swanson/ReutersRay Wiliani, who lives nearby, told AP he came to UCLA on Wednesday evening to support the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.“We need to take a stand for it,” he said. “Enough is enough.”A small group of students holding signs and wearing T-shirts in support of Israel and Jewish people gathered nearby the protest camp.ShareIt’s almost 8.30pm in LA and police in riot gear are reportedly forming lines and moving in closer to the protest encampment at UCLA.Matthew Lewis Royer, a journalists with UCLA’s student newspaper, posted the below image of the situation on campus now.ShareA large number of police in riot gear are now arriving at the UCLA campus, according to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin who is at the scene.He posted a video of students watching as police made their way onto campus.BREAKING: Per LAPD source, LAPD has just gone into a citywide tactical alert as tension builds at UCLA campus. Larger numbers of LAPD in riot gear now arriving on campus near the encampment. pic.twitter.com/cjLlS0iofH— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
ShareDespite the warning to disperse or face arrest, protests at UCLA only appear to have grown throughout the afternoon.Protesters largely stayed in place, according to an AP reporter, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Police stood by strapping on riot gear.Demonstrators walk in an encampment on the UCLA campus. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APUCLA posted on X that campus operations will be limited Thursday and Friday with all classes required to pivot to remote instruction. The post urged people to continue avoiding campus and the Royce Quad area.Tents are placed on an encampment on the UCLA campus. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APAs Los Angeles County Sheriff’s marshalled near the protest encampments, some people prayed in front of where they gathered.People pray in front of Los Angeles County Sheriffs. Photograph: Allison Dinner/EPAShare
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/01/university-protests-pro-palestinian-demonstrators-arrested-latest-news US campus protests: hundreds of police in riot gear gather at UCLA as students threatened with arrest – live | US campus protests
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