As RedState reported, major unrest has taken place in the last 48 hours at the University of California Los Angeles in Westwood. Officials have been rightly criticized for their lack of response, but it looks like they're going to be moving in on the encampment shortly.
BREAKING: Per LAPD source, LAPD has just gone into a citywide tactical alert as tension builds at UCLA campus. Larger numbers of LAPD in riot gear now arriving on campus near the encampment. pic.twitter.com/cjLlS0iofH
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
Since Monday several people were injured, including a Jewish woman carrying the Israeli flag who was bludgeoned by five people. She had to be rushed to the emergency room.
Jewish girl at UCLA was surrounded by five people wearing keffiyehs and bludgeoned in the head while they stomped on her Israeli flag. She lost consciousness and her body went limp.
— Jaimee Michell (@thegaywhostrayd) May 1, 2024
She was carried away then sent to the ER.
But these protests are just about standing against the… pic.twitter.com/5ZJ8EHhsbB
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a declaration over loudspeaker: The gathering is an unlawful assembly and everyone must leave the area or be subject to arrest.
BREAKING: UCLA police just declared on a loudspeaker that the UCLA encampment is unlawful and that everyone must leave the area. They say that those who do not leave may be subject to arrest. Encampment cheered. We continue to see a large amount of law enforcement gathering. pic.twitter.com/ZufyCgr96D
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 2, 2024
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a dispersal order Wednesday for the pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the University of California Los Angeles campus.
A heavy law enforcement presence remains at the University of California Los Angeles Wednesday following a chaotic night between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli counterdemonstrators that included fights, firecrackers and different chemicals sprayed during the confrontation.
Pro-Palestinian protesters set up their encampment behind plywood and metal barriers, which were broken down violently by counter-protesters Tuesday night. Sticks, rocks, cones and other objects were thrown at the encampment – actions that escalated to violence condemned by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
This aerial view of the UCLA campus show both the crowds and law enforcement increasing.
The crowd size is continuing to multiply.
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) May 2, 2024
ALSO, Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles are currently taking up position around the #UCLA campus pic.twitter.com/mZcQJ2gKGW
From the looks of things, the protestors seem to be preparing for a heavy battle. My colleague Bob Hoge reported Tuesday that a ramping up, rather than a winding down, was in motion.
On Wednesday, the anti-Israel crowd apparently is prepping for night #2, sending out their troops to big box stores to resupply various items that sound like they're preparing for battle, not for peaceful protests.
BREAKING: A disconcerting sight over the heavily vandalized Royce Hall quad, where the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA has been re-fortified. Organizers have brought in a large fresh supply of PPE, helmets, gas masks, goggles, umbrellas, paint, plywood, and other riot gear.… pic.twitter.com/8RMKbLsAlZ
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) May 1, 2024
BREAKING: A disconcerting sight over the heavily vandalized Royce Hall quad, where the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA has been re-fortified. Organizers have brought in a large fresh supply of PPE, helmets, gas masks, goggles, umbrellas, paint, plywood, and other riot gear. Signs point demonstrators to equipment tents, including “Protection Kits 4 Tonight”
One of the spokespeople for the UCLA protesters explains their end goal is for “more than divestment.” She says, “Given that the University of California is founded on colonialism, it’s inherently a violent institution.” She argues the UC system is linked to both foreign wars and… pic.twitter.com/bFw0IX7oHp
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) May 2, 2024
According to Fox 11 L.A., units from LAPD, LA Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, and Beverly Hills Police Department are on the scene and are forming skirmish lines in riot gear in preparation for the dispersal of the crowds. So, the pro-Palestinian protestors may end up facilitating more police brutality, which may be their wish.
An aerial view showed numerous LA County Sheriff's Department buses ready to take arrestees to jail.
Get ready Hamas sympathizers at UCLA. The LA jail buses are staging at the federal building.... pic.twitter.com/Rz17oXqfyn
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) May 2, 2024
Fox LA also reported that their sources claimed that law enforcement would be moving in on the encampment by 9 PM Pacific. We'll bring you updates as they're available.
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