Hundreds of police officers entered UCLA (University of California in Los Angeles) in the early hours of Thursday (2) to dismantle the pro-Palestine camp attacked the day before by Israel supporters.
The operation is another chapter in the protests against the war in the Gaza Strip that have taken over campuses from coast to coast in the United States in recent weeks. The demonstrations raised debates about freedom of expression, anti-Semitism and censorship, in addition to resulting in clashes between students and security forces, in some cases.
Police wearing helmets and carrying shields and batons began heading to the site on Wednesday afternoon (1st), according to the Reuters news agency. Local television station KABC-TV estimated that between 300 and 500 people were camping, while about 2,000 remained outside the barricades in support of the protest.
The agents, led by a group of California Highway Patrol officers, waited for hours before finally entering the camp. Before moving forward, they asked protesters in announcements over a loudspeaker to vacate the football field-sized plaza between Royce Hall auditorium and the main undergraduate library.
Out there
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The action began around 3:15 am local (7:15 am in Brazil) and, just over an hour later, the main barricade that protected the camp had already been dismantled. Several arrests were made, although authorities have not confirmed the number.
In the vicinity of the university, it was possible to hear dozens of explosions due to the use of stun bombs by the police.
Protesters, some carrying makeshift shields and others wearing helmets, goggles and respiratory masks, tried to block the police advance by opening umbrellas and taking flash photos in the direction of the officers.
Those outside the camp booed the agents, beating drums and waving Palestinian flags. Many wore traditional Palestinian scarves called keffiyehs. A smaller group of protesters waving Israeli flags encouraged police to close the camp.
A line of students arm in arm occupied the place where the bars were. “Where were you yesterday?” they shouted, according to the American newspaper New York Times, in reference to the attack by around 200 pro-Israel protesters on the camp late on Tuesday night (30). The invasion evolved into a confrontation in the early hours of Wednesday, with throwing objects and attacks.
It was the second confrontation in the same week in UCLA — on Monday night, a similar scene took place after around 60 pro-Israel protesters tried to enter the camp. Clashes of this type have been particularly intense at this university, where the demonstrations have a greater presence of Jews compared to other campuses.
