Protests have erupted at colleges and universities nationwide in response to the conflict in Gaza. Many pro-Palestinian demonstrators are advocating for their institutions to divest from Israeli military operations. However, some Jewish students have labeled the protests as antisemitic and expressed fear for their safety. These student protests, some of which have evolved into round-the-clock encampments, have spread across the country following incidents at Columbia University in New York City. Several schools, including Yale University, New York University, Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California, and UCLA, have heightened security measures in the aftermath of physical altercations during protests.
UCLA, in a statement on Sunday, announced the implementation of additional security measures on campus amidst the demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mary Osako, vice chancellor of UCLA Strategic Communications, stated, "UCLA has a long history of peaceful protest, and we are saddened to report that today, there were some physical altercations among demonstrators on Royce Quad. We have since implemented additional security measures and increased the number of our safety team members on site." Osako emphasized, "As an institution of higher education, we stand firmly for the idea that even when we disagree, we must still engage respectfully and recognize one another’s humanity."
Regarding the physical altercations during the protests, Osako expressed dismay, stating, "We are dismayed that certain individuals instead chose to jeopardize the physical safety of the community."
Last week, the University of California rejected calls to divest from companies doing business with Israel. The White House announced on Sunday that President Joe Biden respects the demonstrators' right to peacefully express their views and emphasized the importance of non-violence. However, the administration condemned the antisemitic language and threats of violence that have emerged during the protests. The University of Southern California closed its main campus on Saturday evening due to a disturbance, with the Los Angeles Police Department issuing a citywide tactical alert in response to a protest on USC's campus, urging people to avoid the area.