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Violent clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters erupt at UCLA
New York police officers also clashed with demonstrators at Columbia University. Demonstrations across U.S. campuses have seen widespread antisemitism and support for Hamas in recent weeks.
Pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were seen clashing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Tuesday overnight as the anti-Israel demonstrations continued to wreak havoc across U.S. campuses.
The clashes at UCLA came after University Chancellor Gene Block called the pro-Palestinian encampment “unlawful” and that it “violates university policy.”
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass announced that LAPD riot police arrived at UCLA to stop the violence.
“The violence unfolding this evening at UCLA is absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable,” the mayor said.
UCLA UPDATE ????: Still ZERO law enforcement present, dozens of people needing medical assistance, and this man appears to be bleeding profusely in his right arm. Security ordered to stand down, no LAPD presence. A Jewish woman said multiple men assaulted her, no security help. pic.twitter.com/32pMZqtLCa
— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) May 1, 2024
NYPD officers were also seen clashing with pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University on Tuesday evening. Columbia University, which has been at the centre of attention, saw over 100 arrests on Tuesday night after students barricaded themselves inside Columbia’s Hamilton Hall, causing NYPD officers to breach the barricade.
More than 1,000 protestors have been arrested at 25 campuses across at least 21 states since April 18, as violence, support for terror groups and antisemitism spiralled out of control.
NYPD clash with Columbia protesters, making dozens of arrests and clearing the entire encampment in 2 hours.
Hundreds of officers in riot gear swiftly removed all of the students and protesters who had been encamped on the campus for 2 weeks.
Over 100 arrests. pic.twitter.com/FnXXbAgkoy
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 1, 2024
Signs with swastikas and antisemitic slur have been reported at university demonstrations, as well as protestors openly supporting Hamas and calling for the terror group to kill Israelis.
#HAPPENINGNOW: What you are hearing is our LRAD announcing very clearly that @CityCollegeNY has ordered individuals off their campus.
As requested by the university, we are currently on campus to assist the university in dispersing those trespassing.@NYPDPC @NYPD1stDep… pic.twitter.com/FunbLwAntS
— Kaz Daughtry (@kazdaughtry) May 1, 2024
Other protestors were heart chanting that Tel Aviv should be bombed, while others chanted: “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.”
Several incidents of masked protestors blocking Jewish students and “Zionists” from entering campuses were also documented on video.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the White House absolutely condemns “the antisemitic language that we’ve heard of late and certainly condemn all the hate speech and the threats of violence out there.”
Both Iran, Hezbollah, PFLP and Hamas have all praised the demonstrations at American universities.
Yet another example of masked “demonstrators” denying a Jewish student access to campus…. Because….. he is wearing a Star of David.
UCLA, April, 2024. pic.twitter.com/8Y1xAu8NVM— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) April 30, 2024
“What we have witnessed in American universities in recent days shows the awakening of global society and the world’s thoughts regarding the Palestinian issue and the depth of public hatred toward the crimes of the usurping Zionist regime and the genocide supported by America and some European governments,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said.
“Today’s students are the leaders of the future,” Hamas said. Israel, meanwhile, condemned the demonstrations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelling them antisemitic.
“Protestor” with a sign covered in Swastika and SS lightning bolts calling Jews “circumcising demons” – next to another protestor with a sign reading “Israel apartheid genocide” next to swastika- George Washington University, April 2024. One for the history books when people ask… pic.twitter.com/l5kpbkPRyD
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) April 29, 2024
“What’s happening in America’s college campuses is horrific. Antisemitic mobs have taken over leading universities. They call for the annihilation of Israel. They attack Jewish students. They attack Jewish faculty,” he said.
The Simon Weisenthal Center, the Holocaust-education and human rights organisation, also weighed in, calling on Columbia University to protect Jewish students.
“SWC calls on the President of Columbia University to immediately allow for local law enforcement to enter campus grounds to ensure the protection of Jewish students who are currently facing an unprecedented level of anti-Semitic harassment,” it said in a statement.
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