LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A disturbing incident unfolded at the University of California, Los Angeles when a pro-Israel mob attacked a pro-Palestine encampment on Tuesday night. The violence included launching fireworks at students, deploying mace, hurling vicious slurs, and engaging in unabated assault. Shockingly, the police stood by and allowed the attacks to occur, sparking outrage across the country.
In response to the violence, California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the lack of police intervention, prompting a wave of support for the students at the encampment. Faculty members at UCLA rallied behind the students, raising banners and calling for solidarity through various means, including strike days. However, it wasn’t until Wednesday night that the police finally responded, using rubber bullets and tear gas against the pro-Palestine students.
This incident at UCLA reflects a larger trend of college professors going to great lengths to defend students protesting against the allocation of their tax and tuition dollars to potential human rights violations. Faculty across the country have united to form protective barriers for their students, resulting in arrests and brutal treatment at the hands of law enforcement. The heightened faculty support coincides with demonstrations at over 154 university campuses nationwide, with student protesters demanding divestment from Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Columbia University professor Nara Milanich highlighted the unprecedented unity among faculty in response to the current crisis. The militarized response to student demonstrations, characterized by riot police armed with tear gas and stun grenades, has escalated tensions on campuses nationwide. The clashes between students, faculty, and law enforcement have led to mass arrests, brutalization, and calls for resignations.
The situation at Columbia University has garnered national attention, with lawmakers and politicians exacerbating the conflict with inflammatory rhetoric. Faculty members have risked their own safety to protect students, with some facing arrest and violence from authorities. The escalating confrontations highlight a growing divide between students, faculty, and administrators on college campuses across the United States.
The incidents at UCLA and Columbia are just a snapshot of the widespread protests and police crackdowns occurring at universities nationwide. Students and faculty continue to face challenges as they stand up for their beliefs and demand accountability from their institutions. The clashes underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of universities in addressing global humanitarian crises.