UCLA canceled all classes on Wednesday, May 1, after a night of violence on campus over the war in the Middle East.
“Due to the distress caused by the violence that took place on Royce Quad late last night and early this morning, all classes are canceled today,” UCLA officials announced. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a disturbance at UCLA in the early hours of Wednesday morning, following a clash between Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian protesters.
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Footage captured at the scene depicts counter-protesters breaching the barricades of a pro-Palestinian encampment, with individuals seen climbing over and striking others with sticks. Fireworks were launched towards the encampment, while protesters dismantled sections of the wooden barricades encircling the pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Reports indicated that pepper spray was used, but the source of deployment remained uncertain.
On Wednesday in Madison, police officers with shields cleared all but one tent and pushed back protesters, leading to a scuffle. Four officers sustained injuries, one of whom was a state trooper struck in the head with a skateboard, as reported by University of Wisconsin police spokesperson Marc Lovicott.
Shortly after the incident, protesters set up additional tents at the UW campus.
Over 30 individuals were arrested, with the majority being released without charges. However, four individuals were charged with assaulting law enforcement, according to the police.
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The university requested help and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said city police officers were sent in. Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, said the California Highway Patrol was also deployed after “unacceptable” delays in the university’s police force response to the clashes.
