An anti-Israel encampment was ordered to disperse by the president of California State University, Los Angeles, on Thursday following a group of demonstrators’ vandalism and blockade of a school building.
Following the incident on Wednesday night, authorities marked the student services building—which includes Cal State and Los Angeles President Berenecea Johnson Eanes’ office—as a crime scene and put yellow tape around it, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In a statement, Eanes added, “A trust we had in the [Gaza Solidarity] Encampment to practice non-violence has been violated.” “I cannot and would not protect anyone who is directly identified as having participated in last night’s illegal activities from being held accountable.”
When the protesters broke out of the camp, they made use of chairs, golf carts, rope, umbrellas, and other items.
AN ANTI-ISRAEL MOB SWARMED, “HIT,” AND “SHOVED” THE REPORTER, SAYING, “MY NOTEBOOK WAS YANKED FROM ME.”
After two hours, about sixty workers were ordered to remain indoors until security could create an escape route from the building late on Wednesday night. Protesters had departed the building by early Thursday morning, according to Eric Frost Hollins, a spokesman for Cal State, who talked with the Times.
In her statement, Eanes said that the demonstrators had caused “significant damage” by destroying offices and stealing items. She additionally stated that the damage to the structure will “affect student-facing services, including admissions, records, accessible technology, basic needs, new student and family engagement, Dreamer resources, and educational opportunity programs.”
