UCLA canceled classes Wednesday after violence erupted Tuesday night and raged through the early morning hours as counter-protesters descended on a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, marking the worst clashes since the occupation began a week ago.
“Due to the distress caused by the violence that took place on Royce Quad late last night and early this morning, all classes are cancelled today. Please avoid the Royce Quad area,” the university posted on X at 8:21 a.m. Wednesday.
The situation worsened late Tuesday night when a group of pro-Israeli counter-protesters attacked the camp. There were reports of fireworks being tossed into or fired toward the encampment, and counter-protesters tore away parts of the wooden barricades surrounding the pro-Palestinian group.
People were seen attacking others with sticks, and the violence continued seemingly unchecked by police, with counter-protesters doing their best to invade the encampment. Pepper spray was also reportedly deployed, although it was unclear by whom.
Police in riot gear eventually moved in around 3 a.m. and eventually managed to separate the warring factions and restore order. It was unclear if there were any arrests.
“The violence unfolding this evening at UCLA is absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable. LAPD has arrived on campus,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement released early Wednesday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on social media his office is closely monitoring the situation. “Law enforcement leaders are in contact this evening and resources are being mobilized,” Newsom posted.
The Jewish Federation Los Angeles said in a statement that it was appalled at the violence.
“The abhorrent actions of a few counter protesters last night do not represent the Jewish community or our values. We believe in peaceful, civic discourse,” the group said.
But the federation blamed the violence on the Chancellor Gene Block and the UCLA administration and called for immediate closure of the encampments.
Block made his first public comments about the protests Tuesday, saying most demonstrators taking part in protests have been “peaceful in their activism.”
“But the tactics of others have frankly been shocking and shameful,” Block said. “We have seen instances of violence completely at odds with our values as an institution dedicated to respect and mutual understanding. In other cases, students on their way to class have been physically blocked from accessing parts of the campus.”
Students and staff taking part in the encampment were asked to leave the area, noting that students could face disciplinary actions such as interim suspensions that could lead to dismissal.