Police Disperse Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators at UCLA

Introduction to the Incident

Police dispersed a group of pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA and set up barriers around Royce Hall that will remain in place on Thursday, May 1, for anticipated May Day demonstrations.

Between 150 and 200 demonstrators gathered on UCLA campus grounds, first at Royce Hall around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, and eventually in Westwood Village around 10:30 p.m.

Arrests and Demonstrations

Three of the demonstrators were arrested, one for slapping a security guard and the other two for interfering with police trying to break up the demonstration.
The demonstration was organized by a group called Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA.
Demonstrators were planning to show a documentary film, “The Encampments,” on campus, first at Wilson Plaza at 7:30 p.m. It is a film about protests at university campuses across the country.

Movement and Clashes

The group marched to De Neve Plaza and blocked traffic from Gayley Avenue to Le Conte Drive before heading to Westwood Plaza and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
The demonstration comes a year after pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups clashed on campus.
Steve Lurie, UCLA’s associate vice chancellor of campus and community safety, told NBC 4 that the protesters were violating internal UCLA policies by setting up screens and attempting to show the documentary.

Response from Authorities

“We attempted to stop them from doing that,” Lurie told NBC 4.
Students for Justice in Palestine posted on social media about the attempts by police to break up the demonstrations.
“As of a few minutes ago, police charged into our group of protesters with batons raised, rubber-bullet guns, and motorcycles that nearly HIT students,” the SJP wrote in a post to its Instagram account. “We were gathering to honor Palestine, and to remember the violence that occurred on our very campus one year ago today.”

Planned Events and Barriers

The group planned to have a rally at Dickson Plaza but changed plans when the UC Police Department closed the area Wednesday and blocked access with metal barriers following the arrest of one of the protesters around 2:30 p.m., according to the Daily Bruin.
“We invite you all to watch the documentary in solidarity to honor one year since the encampment at UCLA,” Students for Justice in Palestine said in a post to its Instagram account. “We watch the film in protest of UCLA’s violence towards its students & community members, and its financial & academic complicity in the Palestinian genocide.”
The metal barriers and barricades will remain in place Thursday, Lurie said.

Anticipation of Further Demonstrations

Thousands of University of California healthcare, research and technical workers were expected to stage a one-day strike at UC facilities across the state, one of several demonstrations planned in Los Angeles for May Day.
Lurie told NBC 4 he doesn’t expect encampments of protesters to return to UCLA.
“I’m not concerned the encampments will come back,” Lurie said, “because we are not going to allow it.”
But it shows “there are determined protesters and demonstrators who want to come back here,” he said. “And that’s not going to happen.”

Conclusion

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and conflicts related to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, even in academic settings like UCLA. The university’s response to the demonstration and the setting up of barriers indicate a proactive approach to maintaining order and safety on campus. However, the determination of the protesters also underscores the deep-seated passions and convictions surrounding this issue.

FAQs

• Q: What was the reason for the pro-Palestinian demonstration at UCLA?
  A: The demonstration was organized to show a documentary film, “The Encampments,” and to honor Palestine, remembering the violence that occurred on campus one year ago.
• Q: How many demonstrators were arrested?
  A: Three demonstrators were arrested for slapping a security guard and interfering with police.
• Q: Will the metal barriers and barricades remain in place?
  A: Yes, the metal barriers and barricades will remain in place on Thursday, May 1, for anticipated May Day demonstrations.
• Q: What other demonstrations are expected on May Day?
  A: Thousands of University of California healthcare, research and technical workers are expected to stage a one-day strike at UC facilities across the state.
• Q: What is the university’s stance on future encampments?
  A: The university does not expect or allow encampments of protesters to return to UCLA, as stated by Steve Lurie, UCLA’s associate vice chancellor of campus and community safety.
  Originally Published: May 1, 2025 at 6:23 AM PDT