Police were called to the University of California, Irvine, to disperse a Gaza camp erected by students and activists, resulting in multiple arrests and a campus-wide disruption. The camp, situated within the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall, was cleared on Wednesday following attempts by demonstrators to set up tents on university property.
THEATER KIDS
This is like a bad keffiyeh adaptation of Les Miserables
At @UCIrvine far-left rioters are setting up a barricade made of garbage & tents to protect the Little Gaza encampment
I think they are taking the lyrics of the musical too literally
🎶Some will fall and… pic.twitter.com/v9pIMEtqtg
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 16, 2024
Reports indicate that students barricaded themselves within the lecture hall before venturing outside to pitch tents, prompting law enforcement officers to intervene. Responding to the unfolding situation, local law enforcement agencies, including the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department, created a skirmish line near the demonstrators.
🚨Drone footage of full violent clashes between police and protestors at UC Irvine. @TodayisAmerica has made it possible for me to document these protests. pic.twitter.com/W2gkuJScDq
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) May 16, 2024
The events unfolded after hundreds of radical activists entered the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall, initiating a series of disruptions and barricading the building. The university swiftly issued advisories urging individuals to leave the area, leading to the cancellation of classes for the remainder of the day and the transition to fully remote instruction.
zotALERT: All UCI classes are canceled for today 5/15/24. Staff are advised to work remotely for tomorrow 5/16/24.
Please continue to avoid the protest area.
For more information please visit https://t.co/IEqIP7afn7
— UC Irvine (@UCIrvine) May 15, 2024
Following the police intervention, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer issued a statement that underscored the importance of the right to peaceful assembly while cautioning against criminal activities such as violence and vandalism. Spitzer emphasized that any evidence of criminal behavior would be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement authorities.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer Issues Statement on UCI Protest
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to work with law enforcement to monitor all protest-related activity in Orange County, including today’s protest— OCDA Todd Spitzer (@OCDAToddSpitzer) May 16, 2024
In response to the events, UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman expressed regret over the escalation of tensions on campus in a statement. Gillman, who had initially sought to avoid police intervention, acknowledged the challenges posed by the situation and reiterated the university’s commitment to upholding academic freedom and free speech rights for all members of the community.
Addressing the aftermath of the police dispersal, Chancellor Gillman affirmed the university’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to respectful discourse and peaceful engagement. He emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, urging all members of the campus community to work together towards a resolution.
As the campus regains stability in the wake of the Gaza camp’s dispersal, UC Irvine remains committed to its core values of inclusivity, diversity, and academic excellence. The university will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff.
