Protests against Israel’s war in Gaza erupt at UCLA and Columbia campuses

The UCLA Protest Incident: A Closer Look

Late on Tuesday night, a disturbing event unfolded at UCLA’s pro-Palestinian protest encampment. A group of men, dressed in black with white masks, embarked on a violent assault using crude weapons like poles and incendiaries. William Gude, known for documenting police activities in Los Angeles, provided CNN with footage of the incident.

A Preceding Chaos

Gude, present at the encampment before the upheaval began around 9:15 p.m., captured hours of footage depicting the events leading up to the attack and its aftermath.

Identification of Attackers

Based on remarks made in the video, Gude identified the assailants as pro-Israel. The footage also revealed individuals carrying Israeli flags and one wearing a hoodie stating, “Free our hostages.”

First 24 Minutes of the Attack

A video shared with CNN showed the initial 24 minutes of the assault, where individuals in black tried to breach the encampment while protesters inside used mace for defense.

At times, individuals from each camp engaged in furtive skirmishes, but Gude described it as a sustained attack lasting hours.

Violence Erupts

Multiple online videos depicted the attackers physically assaulting pro-Palestinian protesters with punches, kicks, and sticks. Despite the presence of law enforcement, officers did not intervene.

Law Enforcement Response

UCLA Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and Los Angeles Police Department eventually arrived at the scene. However, they did not intervene to de-escalate the situation until about three hours after the attack commenced.

Official Statements

Upon inquiry, LAPD referred CNN to UCLA police. The incident has prompted responses from all involved departments and the university.