Police Clear Protest Camp at UCLA Campus
The police in Los Angeles have dispersed the pro-Palestinian protest camp on the UCLA campus. US President Biden condemned the violence of the university occupiers but stated he would not deploy the National Guard.
Protests surrounding the Gaza conflict continue to intensify at US universities. As a result, police units are dispersing pro-Palestinian activists occupying university buildings in many locations. A similar operation took place on the campus of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).
Police cleared out a tent camp there. The US channel CNN showed images of the camp’s remnants on the grounds in the morning (local time). Prior to this, authorities reportedly tore down barricades and arrested and removed dozens of demonstrators.
Clashes during the night
Authorities declared the UCLA campus camp an “unlawful assembly” on Wednesday evening (local time). According to the “Los Angeles Times,” several thousand protesters gathered around the barricaded tent camp, confronting and initially pushing back the enforcement personnel. Violence had already erupted the previous night when opposing supporters tried to dismantle the protest camp.
Over the past few weeks, numerous activists and students have gathered at various US university sites to protest against Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and show solidarity with Palestinians. The demands often include cutting financial ties with Israel for universities and companies. While some Jewish students participate in these protests, others feel threatened and stay away from the universities.
Rise in antisemitic incidents
Critics specifically accuse the radical faction of the protest movement of antisemitism and downplaying the actions of Hamas. Hamas denies Israel’s right to exist and carried out an unprecedented massacre on October 7, killing more than 1,200 Israelis living near the Gaza Strip border. Consequently, the Tel Aviv government launched a large-scale military operation against the terrorist organization in the coastal area.
Antisemitic incidents have surged at universities since October 7, with Islamophobic attacks also increasing. Pro-Palestinian activists are facing demonstrators in many places who support the Israeli side and call for the release of hostages still held captive by Hamas.
Biden denounces vandalism and intimidation
During a speech at the White House, US President Joe Biden emphasized the right to protest but condemned causing chaos. He stated there should be no room on campus for antisemitism, violence, or threats against Jewish or Arab-American students, as well as Islamophobia.
Biden stressed that vandalism, trespassing, and threatening or intimidating individuals are not peaceful forms of protest. He also highlighted that the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest is protected in the US.
When asked by the press about involving the National Guard, Biden answered, “No.” The Democrat also made it clear that the protests did not prompt him to rethink his Middle East policy. Responding to a correspondent’s question on this matter, he again answered, “No.”
Incidents at Dartmouth College
Nationwide, over 1,000 demonstrators have been arrested so far. Before the clearing at the UCLA campus, there were police operations at other US universities as well. At Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, according to the Hanover city police, 90 individuals were arrested for trespassing and resisting law enforcement after setting up unauthorized tents on the grounds.
In Dallas, police took at least 20 people into custody during the dispersal of a protest camp on the University of Texas campus, where they were to spend the night in jail, as reported by Fox4. A protest that initially started peacefully on the campus escalated, with tents being erected. Stony Brook University in New York also stated that a demonstration on their grounds turned disorderly, leading to the intimidation and harassment of other students. Subsequently, 29 protesters, including students, staff, and non-affiliates of the university, were arrested.
200 Arrests at Columbia University
Over two weeks ago, the wave of campus protests began at the elite New York university, Columbia, with a quickly dissipated tent camp. The perceived harsh handling spurred students on, resulting in a larger camp. Growing tensions eventually led the predominantly peaceful protests to the violent occupation of Hamilton Hall on the Columbia grounds. The New York police force heavily evacuated the campus and temporarily arrested over 200 students.
