Tension grows as clashes erupt on UCLA campus: What we know so far

Since the Israel-Hamas war destabilised the region last year, protests have broken out across various educational institutes across the world. The latest one comes at New York’s Columbia University when students pitched tents in the middle of campus and began rallying in support of Palestinians in Gaza on April 17.

Hundreds of them were arrested, raising tensions. Although the exact number of arrests remains unclear, it is believed to have exceeded 1,300 across universities in the US, the Guardian reported. At Columbia alone, the number stands at around 282.

Counter-protesters hold objects at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson

This is what we know so far:

1. Dueling groups of protesters clashed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on Wednesday, engaging in violent confrontations including fistfights, shoving, and the use of sticks. The clashes at UCLA erupted as counter-protesters tried to pull down parade barricades, plywood and wooden pallets protecting a tent encampment built by pro-Palestinian protesters. Video showed fireworks exploding over and in the encampment, as reported by AP.

CHP officers stand guard near an area showing messages of support for Israeli hostages in Gaza, amid clashes at a nearby pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson

2. Prior to this, police intervened at Columbia University, where pro-Palestinian protesters had occupied the Hamilton Hall, leading to the disruption of activities at the school. They also unofficially renamed the hall as Hind’s Hall.

3. At UCLA, scuffles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators prompted police, donned in protective gear, to intervene and separate the groups, eventually calming the situation.

A person wearing a mask stands as pro-Palestinian protesters face off with CHP officers near an encampment on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson

4. Across the United States, law enforcement has been deployed to campuses in response to protests urging universities to divest dealings with Israel or companies supporting the Gaza conflict, resulting in several arrests and confrontations.

5. In some cases, university officials and protest leaders have reached agreements to minimize disruptions to campus life and upcoming events such as commencement ceremonies.

Demonstrators react during a protest at an encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 2, 2024. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

6. The clashes at UCLA took place around a tent encampment built by pro-Palestinian protesters, with counter-protesters attempting to dismantle it, leading to violent scenes including chair throwing and physical assaults.

7. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence on social media platform X as “absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable,” in the presence of both the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol officers at the scene.

Signs in support of Palestinians in Gaza are set up along with reinforcements to block the doorway of a building at an encampment after protesters were asked to leave by UCLA campus police, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 2, 2024. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

8. Security was tightened after the university officials called for help. Similarly, New York City officers were called to Columbia University after the school sought help in clearing a tent encampment and reclaiming Hamilton Hall, which had been occupied and vandalized by protesters. The decision to involve law enforcement, according to university statements, was prompted by the disruptive actions of protesters rather than the cause they were advocating for.

Law enforcement officers take position during a pro-Palestinian protest at an encampment in the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 2, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson

9. Columbia University emphasized the importance of maintaining campus life without disruption, repeating that protesters who violate rules and laws will face consequences.

Protesters supporting Palestinians in Gaza gather at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

10. Police spokesman Carlos Nieves confirmed the arrests and emphasized the ongoing efforts by universities to address and resolve protest-related disruptions. While there is no official data on the number of injured, CNN reports that 15 people were injured and one hospitalised following the attacks.

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