Violence erupts between protester groups overnight at UCLA protests
Protesters and counter-protesters clashed overnight at a pro-Palestinian encampment on UCLA’s campus.
The skirmish began around 11 p.m. on Tuesday when counterprotesters reportedly marched to the encampment and surrounded it, according to local reports. The two factions then began to brawl.
Videos of people being punched and kicked circulated on social media. There were reports of dangerous objects being thrown in the melee, fireworks set off, and barricades used as weapons. Chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” could be heard among the counterprotesters, according to reports.
“Protest has continued for more than 90 minutes with no law enforcement presence as brawls escalate in crowd,” ABC7 Eyewitness News posted on X, formerly Twitter. “People are being beaten and kicked, barricades are being used as weapons.”
The violence continued for over two hours before law enforcement officers reported to the scene. There have not been any updates on the number of people injured in the brawl.
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“Horrific acts of violence occurred at the encampment tonight,” Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor of strategic communications, released in a statement to the Daily Bruin. “The fire department and medical personnel are on the scene. We are sickened by this senseless violence, and it must end.”
The Los Angeles Police Department arrived early Wednesday morning to bring the violence under control. The LAPD and California Highway Patrol were reportedly in riot gear upon their arrival.
This story is in development.
