After a tumultuous week at UCLA, Chancellor Gene Block made a statement on Monday addressing the recent violence on campus. He announced that the school is collaborating with the Los Angeles Police Department and has reached out to the FBI to hold those responsible for the chaos accountable.
Tensions had been building outside a pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment since April 25 when demonstrators occupied Royce Quad, setting up tents and barricades. On April 30, after Chancellor Block declared the encampment unauthorized, pro-Israeli counter-protestors clashed with the demonstrators, resulting in a chaotic scene of violence. Despite police presence, the situation wasn’t contained until LAPD officers arrived in the early hours of the morning.
President of the University of California system, Michael Drake, reported that 15 people were injured, one requiring hospitalization. Despite the violence, no arrests were made initially, but Chancellor Block promised a thorough investigation.
Two days later, police dismantled the encampment and arrested several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Chancellor Block reaffirmed the university’s commitment to identifying and holding accountable those responsible for the violence.
He announced that the LAPD and FBI are assisting in the investigation, and urged anyone with information to come forward. Despite these efforts, demonstrations continued on campus.
In a separate incident, UCLA’s Office of Campus Safety, led by former Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, arrested 43 people for refusing to provide identification in a campus parking structure during curfew hours. Following this, a large group of protesters marched through campus, prompting the university to move all classes online due to ongoing disruptions. Royce Hall and Powell library were also closed until Friday.
UCLA did not respond to inquiries from KTLA regarding the day’s arrests.
