UCLA acknowledges ‘violence’ on campus as Israel-Hamas War protests escalate

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

UCLA administration addressed “violence” on campus on Sunday morning as pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashed amid growing tensions as the Israel-Hamas War continues.

In a statement, Mary Osako, vice chancellor of UCLA Strategic Communications, confirmed that altercations occurred on campus Sunday morning.

“This morning, a group of demonstrators breached a barrier that the university had established separating two groups of protestors on our campus, resulting in physical altercations,” Osako said. “UCLA has a long history of being a place of peaceful protest, and we are heartbroken about the violence that broke out.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Pro-Palestinian students gather to protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza at University of California (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, United States on April 25, 2024. (Photo by Grace Hie Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Law enforcement officials barricaded areas near the encampment early Sunday in anticipation of an organized counter-protest by a pro-Israeli group. Flyers advertising the counter-protest said the demonstration would be peaceful.

As of Sunday afternoon, there was no indication on how the “physical altercations” were started, or which groups were involved.

Social media posts from UCLA’s campus after 11 a.m. showed skirmishes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters, thought they appeared to be isolated and between amounts of people.

Protesters on the campus of UCLA on April 28, 2024.

According to the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student-run newspaper, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups chanted at each other after the counter-protest began.

Earlier this week, the University of California rejected calls to divest from companies that do business with Israel.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.

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