Mario Tama/Getty Images; John Sciulli/Getty Images for Fulfillment Fund UCLA Chancellor Gene Block issued a statement on May 1 condemning the violence that took place on campus on the previous evening, calling it “a dark chapter in our campus’s history.”
Clashes took place between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters after some in the pro-Israel group descended upon the pro-Palestinian encampment and attempted to tear it down. No arrests were made; FOX 11 Los Angeles reporter Matthew Seedorff reported that there were at least 15 confirmed injuries and one hospitalization.
BREAKING: We have confirmed, there were at least 15 reported injuries Tuesday night during the violent conflict between protesters and counter-protesters at UCLA. One person required hospitalization.
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) May 1, 2024
The university canceled classes on May 1 as a result of the clashes.
“Late last night, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad to forcefully attack the encampment that has been established there to advocate for Palestinian rights,” Block said. “Physical violence ensued, and our campus requested support from external law enforcement agencies to help end this appalling assault, quell the fighting and protect our community. However one feels about the encampment, this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable. It has shaken our campus to its core and — adding to other abhorrent incidents that we have witnessed and that have circulated on social media over the past several days — further damaged our community’s sense of security.”
Block gave his “sincere sympathy” to all those were injured during the clashes, as well as “all those who have been harmed or have feared for their safety in recent days. No one at this university should have to encounter such violence.” He added that the university is investigating the matter, and it could result in “arrests, expulsions and dismissals. We are also carefully examining our own security processes in light of recent events”
“This is a dark chapter in our campus’s history,” Block concluded. “We will restore a safe learning environment at UCLA.”
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block just issued this statement addressing the violence that occurred last night https://t.co/0N1LV2Qoos pic.twitter.com/J2IaMYx5Ci
— Aaron Bandler (@bandlersbanter) May 1, 2024
On April 30, Block referred to the encampment as being “unauthorized” and said that while the protests and counterprotests have been mainly peaceful, “we have seen instances of violence completely at odds with our values as an institution dedicated to respect and mutual understanding. In other cases, students on their way to class have been physically blocked from accessing parts of the campus… These incidents have put many on our campus, especially our Jewish students, in a state of anxiety and fear.”
Block’s May 1 statement was faced with criticism on social media.
“You will be blanketed with civil rights complaints and lawsuits, and you will deserve it,” attorney Julie Hammill, who also serves as a member of the Palos Verdes School Board, replied to Block on X. “I hope you are personally sued following your resignation.”
You will be blanketed with civil rights complaints and lawsuits, and you will deserve it. I hope you are personally sued following your resignation.
— Julie Hamill (@hamill_law) May 1, 2024
Stella Escobedo, a news anchor for One America News Network, asked Block on X, “Do you even know who’s in that encampment? Last night I watched a live stream and there were people there who didn’t look like they were students!”
Hey @UCLAchancellor do you even know who’s in that encampment? Last night I watched a live stream and there were people there who didn’t look like they were students !
He said : Late last night, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad to forcefully attack the encampment that… https://t.co/X6y8xAhDbZ
— Stella Escobedo (@StellaEscoTV) May 1, 2024
Journal Editor-At-Large Monica Osborne posted on X that the “subtext” of Block’s statement “is concern for anti-Israel protestors with no mention of the way some of them have been violent to Jewish students or prohibited them from entering buildings.”
The subtext here is concern for anti-Israel protestors with no mention of the way some of them have been violent to Jewish students or prohibited them from entering buildings.
— Monica Osborne (@DrMonicaOsborne) May 1, 2024
Ophthalmologist and research scientist Dr. Houman Hemmati posted on X that he was “disgusted” that Block didn’t mention in his May 1 statement that members of the encampment “1. Vandalized Royce Hall 2. Kept Jews off many parts of campus 3. Attacked Jewish students/faculty 4. Openly called for death of Jews and incited violence 5. Literally begged for the abolition of all police.”
“I know Block’s time at UCLA is over soon, as he’s retiring shortly, but Newsom & UC Regents should send a VERY loud message by firing him for cause, without any *very generous retirement benefits, for his negligence and implicitly supporting antisemitism,” Hemmati added.
I am disgusted that UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, when he finally did choose to address the pro-Hamas encampment, said they were “there to advocate for Palestinian rights.”
NOWHERE did he mention that they:
1. Vandalized Royce Hall
2. Kept Jews off many parts of campus
— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) May 1, 2024
Jewish student Eli Tsives told Fox News on May 1 that the counterprotesters were not students, but “Jewish L.A. residents that have noticed how these pro-Hamas protesters are treating Jewish students at UCLA, and they said, ‘Enough is enough.’” He claimed the counterprotesters told him that they took action in order to force the police to arrive “so they could finally go inside the encampment and start making arrests.” Tsives said that he urged his fellow Jewish students to stay away from that part of campus and not engage in violence.
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin posted on X, “The anti-Israel protesters at UCLA just held a press conference where they said they were victims of a ‘life threatening assault’ at the hands of ‘Zionists’ last night. They complained that police didn’t do enough to intervene, however, their demands include ‘abolish policing.’”
The anti-Israel protesters at UCLA just held a press conference where they said they were victims of a “life threatening assault” at the hands of “Zionists” last night. They complained that police didn’t do enough to intervene, however, their demands include “abolish policing”. pic.twitter.com/bt5aQY3NZf
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 1, 2024
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.