Violent clashes broke out between pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-protesters at UCLA last night after a video surfaced allegedly showing the assault of an unconscious Jewish woman.
LAPD officers eventually arrived in riot gear to separate the warring factions.
The violence follows days of inaction by the administration to respond to the increasingly aggressive tactics employed by far-left protesters to disrupt the academic experience of Jewish students.
The UCLA administration had instructed campus police officers to take action only in cases of explicit acts of violence.
On Wednesday, the UCLA student newspaper accused the university of complicity in violence against students, claiming that they failed to provide protection:
At around 5 p.m. yesterday, Chancellor Gene Block sent an email to the UCLA student body claiming that security presence in the area had been increased. That was not visible in the midst of escalating violence. And even with the security present, there was no mediation far into the night.
UC President Michael Drake expressed support for Block’s decision to declare the encampment “unlawful” Tuesday evening, adding that action was needed when the safety of students was being threatened. And yet, in spite of official statements from the university and the UC, we witness little being done on the university’s part to ensure the protection of students who exercise their rights.
Mary Osako, vice chancellor of UCLA Strategic Communications, released a statement at 12:40 a.m. acknowledging the violence, adding that the fire department and medical personnel were involved.
“We are sickened by this senseless violence and it must end,” the paper reported Osako saying.
But for hours, UCLA administration stood by and watched as the violence escalated. LAPD did not arrive on the scene until slightly after 1 a.m. – once Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass sent them in for assistance at Block’s request.
The editorial concluded with a warning: Chancellor Block will have blood on his hands if anyone dies.
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Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C., metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.
