Los Angeles, California – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass drew parallels between the recent violence at UCLA and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, describing the events as unexpected and concerning. On the night of April 30, a group descended upon the Westwood campus, targeting pro-Palestinian protesters with acts of aggression. The mob tore down barricades, threw objects, set off fireworks, and used mace, resulting in injuries to several individuals at the encampment that had been set up outside Royce Hall since April 25.
The incident at UCLA raised questions about the level of coordination among the assailants, prompting comparisons to the chaos witnessed during the Capitol riot. Mayor Bass, who had firsthand experience during the Capitol siege, expressed alarm at the similarities between the two events.
UCLA Police Chief John Thomas faced criticism for the handling of the situation, with concerns raised about security lapses and delays in controlling the violence. The lack of a written safety plan and the limited police presence during the initial clash further fueled scrutiny of the chief’s decisions.
Despite the escalating tensions on campus, Thomas had not developed a formal security plan as requested, leaving the response to the unfolding events in disarray. The actions taken by law enforcement and the coordination between UCLA police and the LAPD came under scrutiny following the attack.
In response to the incident, UC President Michael V. Drake initiated an independent investigation led by a former police chief from Philadelphia to assess the circumstances surrounding the violence and the university’s response. The decision-making process leading up to the attack, including the approval of the encampment and the mobilization of security forces, came under review.
Mayor Bass called for accountability and transparency in the aftermath of the violence, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The discussions surrounding the events at UCLA highlighted the challenges faced by institutions in maintaining public safety and upholding peaceful demonstrations on college campuses.
Moving forward, the focus remains on addressing the security concerns and implementing measures to prevent further escalations of violence. The community awaits the findings of the independent investigation to shed light on the circumstances leading to the attack and the response by law enforcement agencies.