Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - UCLA canceled classes Wednesday following a night of clashes sparked by counter-protesters who attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment, marking the worst violence since the occupation began a week ago, and calls quickly emerged for multiple investigations into the university's preparation for and response to the unrest.
The situation escalated late Tuesday night when a group of counter- protesters launched an offensive against the encampment, which first emerged on the UCLA campus last Thursday. Video from the scene showed fireworks being tossed into or fired toward the encampment, and counter-protesters tried to tear away parts of the wooden and metal barricades surrounding the pro- Palestinian group.
People were seen attacking others with sticks, while fist-fights and wrestling matches ensued, and the violence continued seemingly unchecked by police. Pepper spray or bear repellent was also reportedly deployed, although it was unclear by whom.
Police in riot gear eventually moved in around 3 a.m. and managed to separate the warring factions and restore order. It was unclear if there were any arrests. Video showed several people nursing injuries from the clashes, but the severity was unclear.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, paramedics responded to the area of Hayes Hall on the UCLA campus at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday, and took a man in his mid-20s to a hospital for treatment of a head injury in unknown condition. The source of the injury was unclear. At 1:27 a.m. Wednesday, LAFD personnel went to the campus at the request of UCLA police to be on standby, but no additional patients were taken to hospitals.
In a message to the UCLA community Wednesday afternoon, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block called the overnight clashes the result of "instigators" who came to the campus to "forcefully attack the encampment."
"However one feels about the encampment, this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable," Block said. "It has shaken our campus to its core and -- adding to other abhorrent incidents that we have witnessed and that have circulated on social media over the past several days -- further damaged our community's sense of security."
He added: "We are still gathering information about the attack on the encampment last night, and I can assure you that we will conduct a thorough investigation that may lead to arrests, expulsions and dismissals. We are also carefully examining our own security processes in light of recent events. ... This is a dark chapter in our campus' history. We will restore a safe learning environment at UCLA."
The university's and law enforcement's response to the overnight violence quickly came under scrutiny Wednesday. Reports from the scene overnight indicated that law enforcement began amassing on the campus as the violence unfolded, but failed to immediately intervene until a throng of riot- gear-clad officers moved in around 3 a.m.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a statement Wednesday morning saying, "The limited and delayed campus law enforcement response at UCLA last night was unacceptable and it demands answers. As soon as it became clear that state assistance was needed to support a local response, our office immediately deployed (California Highway Patrol) personnel to campus."
Newsom himself issued a statement condemning the violence that erupted on the campus.
"The law is clear: The right to free speech does not extend to inciting violence, vandalism or lawlessness on campus," he said. "Those who engage in illegal behavior must be held accountable for their actions -- including through criminal prosecution, suspension or expulsion."
Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Hollywood, whose district includes the campus, also lashed out at UCLA administrators, saying he and his staff have "pled" with the university for adequate security measures to protect students.
"While we continue to gather all the facts, one thing is abundantly clear: the UCLA Administration has failed in their most important duty -- to protect the safety, wellbeing, and civil rights of all students on campus," Zbur said.
In a statement issued shortly after midnight, as the violence was raging, Mary Osako, vice chancellor for UCLA strategic communications, said, "Horrific acts of violence occurred at the encampment tonight and we immediately called law enforcement for mutual aid support. The fire department and medical personnel are on the scene. We are sickened by this senseless violence and it must end."
University of California President Michael V. Drake issued a statement Wednesday saying he has "requested a detailed accounting from the campus about what transpired in the early morning hours today."
"But some confusion remains. therefore, we are also ordering an independent external review of both UCLA's planning and actions, and the effectiveness of the mutual aid response. Such a review will help us address many immediate questions but also help guide us in possible future events."
Drake noted, "The situation has been stabilized and UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has reiterated that, having declared the encampment unlawful yesterday, he will dismantle it at the appropriate time."
There was no indication of when that might happen.
The UC Board of Regents has scheduled a special closed-door meeting for Friday to discuss campus encampments and the university system's response.
UCLA officials on Tuesday issued written warning notices to people inside the encampment, saying the gathering is "unlawful" and could lead to disciplinary action for students taking part in it, including suspension and expulsion.
The warning also said it is illegal for people unaffiliated with the university to be taking part in the encampment, and any such people were ordered to leave the area or potentially face misdemeanor charges. The warning noted that police were standing by, but there was no indication of when or if law enforcement might move to disperse the encampment.
It was unclear how many actual UCLA students were taking part in the encampment.
Mayor Karen Bass, who cut short a lobbying trip to Washington D.C. to return to Los Angeles in response to the overnight violence, said she took part in a meeting Wednesday morning with various law enforcement agencies on the campus to discuss "the absolutely detestable violence on campus last night."
"LAPD is supporting regional law enforcement on next steps to ensure our students and campus are safe," Bass said in a statement. "There must be a full investigation into what occurred on campus last night. Those involved in launching fireworks at other people, spraying chemicals and physically assaulting others will be found, arrested, and prosecuted, as well as anyone involved in any form of violence or lawlessness.
"I want to make sure the message I delivered to law enforcement and other officials earlier today is clear: Free speech will be protected. Violence and bigotry will not."
The Jewish Federation Los Angeles issued a statement Wednesday morning condemning the violence.
"The abhorrent actions of a few counter-protesters last night do not represent the Jewish community or our values. We believe in peaceful, civic discourse. Unfortunately, the violence at UCLA is a result of the lack of leadership from the chancellor and the UCLA administration," the group's statement continued. "The chancellor has allowed for an environment to be created over many months that has made students feel unsafe, allowed for illegal encampments in violation of its own laws, refused to censure faculty and staff who flouted UCLA's Code of Conduct, and has been systemically slow to respond when law enforcement is desperately needed. His failed leadership has enabled the chaos we witnessed last night."
The group called on the chancellor to close the encampment at UCLA immediately.
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, meanwhile, issued a statement Wednesday morning condemning the "mob of pro-Israel extremist" who attacked the encampment.
"Free speech should never be met with crimes of hate," according to CAIR. "The pro-Israel extremists responsible for last night's violence must be identified and prosecuted."
The group also called for an investigation into the "lack of response" by campus and Los Angeles police to the violence
"If (protesters) advocating for Palestinian rights and against genocide had engaged in a fraction of the violence perpetrated by the far-right Israeli government's supporters, there would have been a national outcry," according to the group. "... This must end. UCLA and other schools must ensure that (protesters) can continue to peacefully protest the genocide in Gaza without facing attacks by violent pro-Israel mobs."
In addition to canceling classes Wednesday, university officials announced earlier that Royce Hall near the encampment will remain closed until Friday, and students were told to check with their instructors about new locations for classes that normally meet in that building. Powell Library, meanwhile, will remain closed until Monday.
Drake, the UC president, had issued a statement Tuesday saying he "fully" supported UCLA informing participants in the encampment that the encampment is unlawful and violates university policy.
"The University of California must be as flexible as it can involving matters of free expression, including expression of viewpoints that some find deeply offensive," Drake said. "But when that expression blocks the ability of students to learn or to express their own viewpoints, when it meaningfully disrupts the functioning of the university, or when it threatens the safety of students, or anyone else, we must act.
"There are countless ways to protest lawfully, and the University of California campuses will work with students, faculty and staff to make space available and do all we can to protect these protests and demonstrations. But disruptive unlawful protests that violate the rights of our fellow citizens are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated."
Organizers of the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment, similar to their counterparts at USC, issued a list of demands calling for divestment of all University of California and UCLA Foundation funds from companies tied to Israel, along with a demand that the university call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and begin an academic boycott against Israeli universities, including a suspension of study-abroad programs.
The UC issued a statement Friday noting that the university has "consistently opposed calls for boycott against and divestment from Israel. While the university affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a boycott of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses.
"UC tuition and fees are the primary funding sources for the University's core operations. None of these funds are used for investment purposes," the statement continued.
Block, who is stepping down as chancellor at the end of July, is expected to testify before Congress on May 23 about the campus' response to antisemitism and actions to protect Jewish students.