Violence broke out between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters, and police in riot gear arrived but did not immediately intervene.

NEW YORK (AP) — The pro-Palestinian demonstration that paralyzed Columbia University ended in dramatic fashion, with police carrying riot shields bursting into a building that protesters took over the previous night and making dozens of arrests. On the other side of the country, clashes broke out early Wednesday between dueling groups at the University of California, Los Angeles.

New York City officers entered Columbia’s campus late Tuesday after the university requested help, according to a statement released by a spokesperson. A tent encampment on the school’s grounds was cleared, along with Hamilton Hall where a stream of officers used a ladder to climb through a second-floor window.

Meanwhile, violence broke out at UCLA overnight between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters. Police wearing face shields formed a line but did not immediately intervene.

The clashes took place just outside a tent encampment, where pro-Palestinian protesters erected barricades and plywood for protection — and counter-protesters tried to pull them down.

  • @[email protected]
    6•7 months ago

    So, let me get this straight. I will make a list of things I do not understand and I hope you can clear these points up to me. Please reference them in your reply so I understand to which of these points you are referring to.

    1. Some activists assemble in front of an university.
    2. They are enraged about a political situation on the other side of the world.
    3. That involved countries there have nothing to do with either the University or the country they are now protesting in.
    4. They set up camp.
    5. They break up doors and enter the University’s rooms with force.
    6. They destroy property within the University.
    7. The University watches and endures this for several days.
    8. Finally, after financial and other losses, the University calls Police to end all this.
    9. The protest was neither registered nor was is coordinated; no spokesperson or head was named or is available.
    10. Police was shouted at, attacked, and met with overall and disproportionate anger, hostility and force.
    11. What exacty has this whole action brought to the initial intention of the protesters? Did they reach their goals or got closer to these?

    I am exposing myself here because I do not understand the situation and am wondering why everybody is wondering the Police had to mop this up.

    • @[email protected]
      18•7 months ago

      Point 3: the university provides funding to weapons manufacturers that are selling weapon systems to the IDF, the protesters very clearly stated they wanted this funding to stop. The US is also very clearly involved in this conflict, as they are a primary supplier of arms and equipment to the IDF, and the government has vetoed or abstained from every UN vote to do something about the Gaza situation.