Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters swarmed campus buildings, including the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall at the University of California, Irvine, setting up barricades and causing chaos. The university called local law enforcement for assistance from the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s department. Students were ordered to leave the area immediately as the protest continued, disregarding previous orders to shelter in place. The campus erupted into chaos as law enforcement clashed with protesters, who were chanting slogans in support of Palestine. The protesters had joined an established encampment that had been occupying the campus since April 29.
The protesters entered the campus on Wednesday afternoon, joining the encampment that had been present since April 29. UC Irvine initially told students to shelter in place as the protest escalated near the Physical Science Quad, advising those in the area to stay put until further notice. Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day as the university continued to monitor the situation and urged people to stay away from the campus to ensure their safety. The scene on campus showed law enforcement in riot gear clashing with anti-Israel agitators who were seen holding umbrellas and chanting “free, free Palestine” along with other slogans in support of Palestine’s freedom.
UC Irvine made it clear that anyone currently in buildings near the protest should exit and leave the area at the time of the protest. Law enforcement reinforcements were visible in footage from the campus, dressed in riot gear and holding batons to control the crowd. The protesters were heard chanting slogans such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free” and “Long live Palestine” as they continued their demonstration on campus. The protest that resulted in chaos and clashes with law enforcement seems to have been part of a larger encampment that has been on campus for over a month.
Students at UC Irvine found themselves caught in the middle of the chaos as hundreds of anti-Israel protests swarmed campus buildings, especially the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall, creating barricades and disorder. The university called the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s department for immediate assistance as the situation escalated. Students were ordered to leave the area immediately, disregarding previous orders to shelter in place and avoid the protest area. Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day as the university continued to monitor the situation and advised people to stay away from the campus for safety reasons. Law enforcement clashed with protesters chanting in support of Palestine, some carrying umbrellas and holding their ground.
