Solidarity Encampment Stands for Justice at UCLA After USC Fracas
Los Angeles, CA – Pro-Palestinian students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have established a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus, seeking to amplify their voices one day after a similar demonstration at rival Southern California University (USC) resulted in multiple arrests.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a UCLA chapter, posted a video on social media showing the encampment set up between Powell Library and Royce Hall, a prominent area of the Westwood campus. Wearing Palestinian flags and signs, protesters gathered to express their solidarity with Palestinians facing adversity in Gaza.
The encampment is intended to be a safe space for students to engage in respectful discussions and educate others about the plight of the Palestinian people, according to SJP.
Heightened Tensions After USC Arrests
The UCLA demonstration follows an incident at USC on Wednesday, where approximately 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested after a clash with campus police.
The protesters had blocked an intersection near the USC campus, prompting campus police to intervene. According to USC’s Chief of Public Safety, the demonstrators refused to follow directives to disperse, leading to the arrests.
UCLA SJP’s Statement
SJP’s statement on the USC arrests condemned the use of excessive force, citing the peaceful nature of their protest and the unnecessary escalation of the situation by police. The statement also called for the release of those arrested.
Ongoing Protests
The Gaza Solidarity Encampment at UCLA is part of a series of demonstrations taking place on college campuses across the United States in support of Palestinians. These protests seek to highlight the ongoing conflict in Gaza and raise awareness about the human rights violations faced by Palestinians.
Global Solidarity and Calls for Justice
The demonstrations at UCLA and USC are part of a wider global movement calling for justice and an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Protesters around the world are advocating for the rights of Palestinians and urging world leaders to take meaningful action to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
