Pro-Palestine UCLA protesters gear up against police aggression: AP

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Associated Press
2 May 2024 12:31
1 Shares

Pro-Palestine protesters at UCLA have come up with ways to protect themselves against police aggression and pro-"Israel" violence, all while risking arrest and expulsion.

Demonstrators block the entrance to a building on the UCLA campus, after clashes between Pro-'Israel' and Pro-Palestinian groups, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP)

Police forces stormed a pro-Palestine encampment late Wednesday on the UCLA campus, ordering protesters to dismantle or face arrest. The raid came a day after pro-"Israel" protesters raided the camp and assaulted students protesting "Israel's" genocide.

The UCLA encampment was transformed into a miniature town hosting hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters who refuse to abandon their posts before their demands are met. Amid the anticipated police crackdown, protesters prepared for attacks by distributing goggles and surgical masks to endure a tear gas or pepper spray attack. Makeshift plywood shields were also passed around to protect protesters against rubber bullets fired by law enforcement.

The night before, pro-"Israel" mobs attacked the encampment, released tear gas against protesters, recklessly threw cones around, and tore through barriers. It was only after a few hours of violent attacks that police decided to step in, reportedly at minimal force, compared to what pro-Palestine protesters have seen or have been threatened with. It is worth noting that although dozens of peaceful protesters were injured during clashes, no arrests were made against the perpetrators.

Hundreds of cops from LAPD, CHPD and LASD are moving in w/tactical gear on anti-genocide protesters at UCLA

These are the same cops who disappeared for 4 hours as a Zionist mob assaulted protesters w/ metal pipes, pyrotechnics and pepper spray last night pic.twitter.com/XHy9LcmbFi
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) May 2, 2024

In light of the overnight events, a news conference was held on campus on Wednesday, during which pro-Palestine protesters depicted their experience and denounced police brutality employed against peaceful protesters, whereas violent mobs were left to inflict damage without facing adequate consequences.

They debunked claims that only 15 protesters had been injured during clashes, affirming that the number of hospitalized casualties was much higher. They also described the attacks, with one protester saying he had to be hospitalized after suffering a blow to the head from a heavy object wielded by a pro-"Israel" protester.

Amid the attacks, pro-Palestine groups had to depend on each other for protection rather than police forces, adding that they had remained peaceful and refrained from engaging with pro-"Israel" mobs despite the aggression inflicted against them. “The community needs to feel the police are protecting them, not enabling others to harm them,” Rebecca Husaini, chief of staff for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said.

As of Wednesday, classes at UCLA have been canceled.

A 'cowardly intimidation tactic'

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement that external instigators unleashed Tuesday's attacks, but made no comments regarding the police and university's inaction. However, a probe is expected to be launched following the clashes, Block added.

It is worth noting that the pro-Palestinian encampment was declared illegal by officials at UCLA who warned protesters of consequences if they did not leave.

After the encampment was set up at Royce Hall, officials did not intervene, saying that it was to support the freedom of speech, but it was not long until pro-"Israel" groups began harassing the protesters.

Block called the strategy of protesters entering the campus in his statement "shocking and shameful" and claimed that protesters who engaged in such behavior could be suspended or expelled.

Meanwhile, a statement by the UCLA Palestinian Solidarity Encampment, consisting of students, faculty, and community members, labeled the institution's stance a “cowardly intimidation tactic” and affirmed it is standing its ground.

"This repression tactic is a continuation of a long history of attempts to shut down student activism and silence pro-Palestinian voices," the group said, noting, "We will not leave. We will remain here until our demands are met."

Kaia Shah, a researcher, and recent UCLA graduate, said the "actions and behavior of these counterprotesters is indicative of the treatment of the people on the ground in Gaza," noting, "What this has done to the people in our encampment is made them even more passionate about our cause."