On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested 209 people during operations to dismantle a pro-Palestinian camp set up at the University of California (UCLA) in protest against the policies of the Israeli Government. Some of those arrested were students and university staff, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The arrests of 135 were formalized in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Central Court, while others were transported by buses to the Metropolitan Detention Center of the Los Angeles Police Department. They have been given food, water, and access to public services, and most have been cited and released for illegal assembly, with a court appearance required at a later date.
The police operation involved approximately 250 officers with heavy riot gear. The police assault began at dawn with the launching of flares at the protesters, who responded by using fire extinguishers against the officers. After the eviction of the camp, a trail of debris, garbage, and numerous graffiti left by protesters on nearby buildings were cleaned up using excavators. The spokesman for the California Highway Patrol stated that there is approximately one police officer for each protester in the camp, and although no injuries have been reported yet, protesters have thrown fire extinguishers and water bottles at police officers.
Earlier, UCLA had announced the start of the police intervention and warned those still in
