LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police have thwarted an attempt by pro-Palestinian protesters to set up a new camp at the University of California, Los Angeles, where officers cleared an earlier camp that was attacked by counterprotesters this spring.
UCLA police said in a statement that about 25 people were arrested late Monday on suspicion of willful interference with university operations and one person on suspicion of obstructing an officer. Those arrested were charged and ordered to stay away from UCLA for 14 days and then released.
“Protesters moved to different locations and repeatedly attempted to set up tents, canopies and barricades, disrupting final exams in the neighborhood. Protesters also destroyed a water fountain, spray painted a brick sidewalk, tampered with fire equipment, broke patio furniture, stripped electrical appliances and vandalized vehicles,” the statement said.
Protest camps have popped up on college campuses across the United States and Europe, with students demanding that their universities stop doing business with companies that support Israel and its war efforts. Organizers aim to call for an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which they call a genocide against Palestinians.
UCLA has been repeatedly thrown into turmoil by protests and the university’s response to the situation.
At one point, a pro-Palestinian camp was attacked by counter-protesters, but police did not respond immediately, and dozens were arrested as the camp was dismantled. In response to the incident, the campus police chief was transferred and a new campus security office was established. Subsequent attempts to set up new camps were blocked.
Monday’s protest came just days before the University of California Board of Regents is scheduled to meet at UCLA and hold graduation ceremonies this weekend.
John Antczak, The Associated Press