UCLA Protests: Police Union Demands Independent Investigation Amid Allegations of Response Failures
Los Angeles, CA – The police union representing University of California officers is demanding an independent investigation into the university’s lack of response to violence that erupted at anti-Israel student protests on campus last week.
On May 1st, hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators set up an encampment on UCLA’s campus, demanding that the university divest from companies and institutions accused of aiding Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Early Wednesday morning, pro-Israel counter-protesters attacked the encampment, triggering a violent clash.
Disturbing Scene of Violence
Fights broke out, fireworks were hurled at protesters, and objects were thrown during the melee. Despite the escalating violence, law enforcement initially stood by. Campus security guards were present but did not intervene. Local police in riot gear arrived hours later and cleared the encampment, arresting over 200 protesters.
Police Union Criticism
“UC administrators are solely responsible for the university’s response to campus protests, and they own all the fallout from those responses,” said Wade Stern, president of the Federated University Police Officers Association.
The union alleges that the university’s lack of response stems from multiple failures, including:
- Failure to establish trained task forces to handle student protests
- Failure to provide any training since 2020
- Failure to fund training programs
Alleged Order to ‘Stand Down’
The union also claims that administrators instructed campus police to “stand down and stand aside” during the protests. A Jewish student who sought police assistance while being blocked from the campus library was reportedly told that police had been ordered not to intervene.
University Response
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has condemned the violence and acknowledged the need to review the university’s response. President Michael Drake has also ordered an independent external review of the campus’s planning, actions, and mutual aid response.
Independent Investigation Demanded
The police union’s statement emphasizes the importance of an independent investigation to uncover the full extent of the failures that led to the lack of response during the protests. They believe that administrators must be held accountable for their actions.
Ongoing Concerns
The violent protests at UCLA are part of a broader trend of increased tensions on university campuses across the United States. Universities are struggling to balance the rights of protesters with the safety of other students.
Call for Dialogue
As investigations and reviews proceed, it is crucial to foster dialogue and understanding between the opposing factions. Peaceful and respectful discourse is the only way to address these complex issues and build a more inclusive and harmonious campus community.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
