Dozens of UCLA protesters who tried to occupy building should face felony charges, police say
A group of protesters who attempted to occupy a building on UCLA’s campus was thwarted by police, and those responsible should be charged with felonies, according to an organization that supports officers.
Police say that on Monday, “an organized group of 44 individuals” attempted to get into and occupy a building on campus, though “swift and decisive action” by officers prevented it, according to a news release from the Federated University Police Officers’ Association, a nonprofit organization that supports officers on UC campuses.
“The group, armed with multiple tools and written guidebooks on building takeover tactics, was intercepted before they could carry out their plans,” the release said.
The New York Times, citing the UCLA Police Department, said the would-be occupiers had “several metal pipes, a pair of bolt cutters, super glue, padlocks and a long chain.”
While pro-Palestinian protests have appeared on college campuses nationwide, the occupation of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University marked a “major escalation” in the demonstrations, the Associated Press reported.
It was the similar incident at UCLA that led the university to transition all classes to remote learning, the organization claimed.
Those involved at UCLA were arrested on felony charges of criminal conspiracy, though Wade Stern, president of FUPOA, asked that the “Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office takes swift and decisive action by filing charges in this case that reflects the gravity of the criminal conduct that occurred.”
“Failure to do so would undermine law enforcement’s efforts and embolden this group and others to continue engaging in criminal activities on the UCLA campus. We commend the swift response of the UCLA PD and urge the District Attorney’s Office to pursue justice in this matter to the fullest extent of the law,” Stern said in the release.
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