Clashes broke out on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators on Sunday night, according to local news.
The violence came after security fences were moved by demonstrators, footage from the event shared by NBC News revealed.
Pro-Israel group Israeli-American Council (IAC) organized a rally that started around 11 a.m., according to NBC Los Angeles, and members of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice scheduled a 9:30 a.m. demonstration to support pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.
Officials comment on the incident
Mary Osako, vice chancellor for UCLA Strategic Communications, said: “UCLA has a long history of peaceful protest, and we are heartbroken to report that today, some physical altercations broke out among demonstrators on Royce Quad.
“We have since instituted additional security measures and increased the numbers of our safety team members on site.
“As an institution of higher education, we stand firmly for the idea that even when we disagree, we must still engage respectfully and recognize one another’s humanity. We are dismayed that certain individuals instead chose to jeopardize the physical safety of the community.”
“My team and I are closely tracking the protests at UCLA today and are in close communication with UCLA leadership and City officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone on campus,” City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky posted on X.
My team and I are closely tracking the protests at UCLA today, and are in close communication with UCLA leadership and City officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone on campus.
— Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky (@CD5LosAngeles) April 28, 2024
In one incident, reported by the Daily Bruin, a Palestinian flag was stomped on.
NBC reported that no arrests have yet been made.
The protests came only a day after pro-Palestinian students expanded their on-campus encampment, according to Los Angeles Daily News.
On Thursday, a Native American woman was assaulted by pro-Palestinian students after holding a sign stating that people supporting Hamas were not allowed on native land.