Police responded to a tumultuous scene at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) following clashes between groups of protesters. This incident occurred shortly after demonstrators were evicted from an academic building at Columbia University.
Videos from UCLA depicted fireworks being launched at a camp and altercations breaking out among protesters, some wielding sticks and makeshift weapons. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed it was called in by the university to address "multiple acts of violence" at the encampment.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence, describing it as "abhorrent and inexcusable." In a parallel development, police in New York City removed pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Columbia University's campus. They were occupying an academic building and had set up encampments on the main plaza.
These incidents at Columbia and UCLA followed weeks of escalating protests on campuses nationwide, disrupting academic activities and exacerbating tensions between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and their opponents. At Columbia's Hamilton Hall, police encountered barricaded doors, which they had to breach using loud distraction devices to subdue protesters inside.
As police escorted individuals out of Columbia's campus, students voiced their disapproval with chants of "shame!" and "revolution!" Some were arrested, although specific figures were not provided by the NYPD. Columbia University requested police intervention around 9 p.m.
Violence erupted at UCLA when counter-protesters, some with covered faces, attempted to remove barricades from a pro-Palestinian encampment. This encampment had been ordered to disperse by the university earlier. Clashes ensued, and upon police arrival, officers formed a human barrier to separate the two groups.
Columbia President Minouche Shafik expressed serious safety concerns, stating that the actions of those involved were escalating. She believed that while Columbia students participated in the takeover of Hamilton Hall, they were led by non-affiliated individuals. Shafik requested police presence on campus until at least May 17 to maintain order.
At City College of New York, police also clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters. Columbia officials threatened expulsion for students involved in the takeover of Hamilton Hall, and protesters demanded divestment from companies doing business with Israel.
These incidents are part of a wave of protests and clashes at colleges nationwide, including Cal Poly Humboldt, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Princeton University. Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Some schools have managed to de-escalate protests. Yale University reported all protesters had left their encampment after threats of suspensions and arrests. Northwestern University agreed with students to disband the encampment, except for one tent remaining until June 1, pledging support for Palestinian faculty and students.