About 25 people were arrested Monday night as they attempted to set up a tent encampment on the University of California Los Angeles campus, university police said in a statement.
“The individuals are in the process of being cited, issued 14-day stay away orders from UCLA property, and released,” the UCLA Police Department said. “Approximately 150 protesters remain in the area as of the latest update.”
The arrests follow a series of tense days in late April and early May on the school’s campus, where pro-Palestinian protesters had created a sprawling encampment surrounded by plywood and metal barricades. Counter-protesters had clashed with the group on at least one occasion.
Police from several departments descended on the earlier encampment on May 2, arresting dozens of protesters and dismantling the tents and barricades.
University of California Police and California Highway Patrol officers face pro-Palestinian protesters outside Dodd Hall at UCLA in Los Angeles, June 10, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
About 100 people marched on Monday afternoon through campus, entering at least one hall and disrupting a final exam, police said.
The group, which was associated with a registered student organization, also set up “unauthorized and unlawful” encampments at several locations around campus. They used “tents, canopies, and barricades with patio furniture,” police said.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator is taken into custody as University of California Police and California Highway Patrol officers face pro-Palestinian protesters outside Dodd Hall in the University of California at Los Angeles in Los Angeles, June 10, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
University officials asked the group to leave two locations — the Janss Steps and the Kerckhoff patio — and the group complied, police said.
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The group had by early evening made their way to the courtyard between Dodd Hall and the School of Law, where they were seen assembling another tent encampment, police said.
“The group restricted access to the general public in violation of University policy and also disrupted nearby final exams,” police said in a statement.
University of California Police officers face pro-Palestinian protesters outside Dodd Hall in the University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, June 10, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
About 25 people were arrested under a California law barring “Willful Disruption of University Operations,” police said.
One additional person had been arrested for interfering with a police officer as the group set up their first encampment, police said. That person was cited and released, police said.
“As a result of the unauthorized and unlawful encampments at the three locations, the group damaged the Shapiro fountain, spray-painted brick walkways, tampered with fire safety equipment, damaged patio furniture, stripped wire from electrical fixtures, and vandalized vehicles,” police said.
ABC News’ Kiara Alfonseca contributed to this report.
University police at UCLA have reported that approximately 25 individuals were arrested while attempting to establish a protest camp on campus grounds. The incident occurred earlier this week, sparking controversy and debate among students and faculty.
According to authorities, the group of individuals had gathered with the intention of setting up a protest camp to bring attention to various social and political issues. However, university officials had not granted permission for the camp to be established, leading to a confrontation between the protesters and law enforcement.
The arrests were made after the group refused to comply with orders to disperse and vacate the area. The individuals were charged with trespassing and resisting arrest, among other offenses. The situation escalated as some protesters became confrontational and aggressive towards the police officers on the scene.
The incident has raised questions about the rights of individuals to protest on university campuses and the appropriate response by law enforcement in such situations. While peaceful protest is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment, universities also have a responsibility to maintain order and ensure the safety of their students and staff.
In response to the incident, UCLA officials have stated that they support the right to peaceful protest but emphasize the importance of following proper procedures and obtaining permission for any demonstrations or events on campus. They have also expressed concern about the potential for future conflicts between protesters and law enforcement.
The arrests at UCLA serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play when it comes to protests on college campuses. While universities are often seen as hubs of free speech and activism, they also have a duty to uphold rules and regulations that ensure the safety and well-being of their community.
Moving forward, it will be important for both protesters and university officials to engage in open dialogue and communication to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By working together, they can find ways to balance the right to protest with the need for order and security on campus.
