Security increased for UCLA graduation ceremony following pro-Palestinian protests

Security measures will be increased on the UCLA campus for commencement ceremonies this year following a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

On Monday, arrests were made as over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampments and took over portions of the campus at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Los Angeles police moved in on protestors after “they had gathered in Bruin Plaza and marched through South Campus, carrying a coffin-shaped object and objects painted to resemble bloodied body parts, while reading the names of Palestinians killed in Gaza by the Israeli military,” according to UCLA’s campus newspaper, Daily Bruin.

Barricades were set up around entrances to Dickson Plaza and the water inside Shapiro Fountain was dyed red by protestors, the Daily Bruin reported.

The incident marked the third encampment that has taken over UCLA since May over the Israel-Hamas War. Demonstrators are calling for the UC system to divest from companies that invest in weapons manufacturing for the Israeli military.

The university’s commencement ceremonies have been scaled down following the unrest and security measures will be increased to ensure the event proceeds without issue.

“There has been a lot going on on campus, so I think, at this time, it’s kind of a relief to be able to focus on graduation while also being able to draw attention to the things that are important and the things that matter,” said Jocelyn, a UCLA student.

Following Monday’s encampment, 27 people were arrested after LAPD declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

The university released a statement saying in part, “That the latest demonstration led to the destruction of property and was completely unnecessary” while adding, “The school fully supports peaceful protests.”

Despite the ongoing campus turmoil, some students said they remained motivated to enjoy their graduation.

“I think people are more focused on experiencing the end of the year,” said Isa, a UCLA student.  “I don’t think the people who are not involved in the protest are too sad.”

UCLA’s scaled-down celebration will include over 70 commencement ceremonies across various venues instead of a large simultaneous event.

All guests attending will be required to present a ticket and each venue will uphold strict bag policies, allowing only clear bags and small purses.

For many graduates this year, their commencement is especially important as many experienced the cancellation of their high school graduations due to the pandemic and began their college career completely remote for the first two years.

Most graduates, however, are still supportive of the right to protest on campus.

“I think they deserve the right to free speech and to stand up for a cause that is really important,” said Jocelyn.

“You just see in the history books, the students for the most part, are always on the right side of history,” said another UCLA student.

UCLA administrators said they’re expecting more protests to take place during graduation weekend and are prepared to handle them.

Monday’s arrest and clash with protestors followed similar demonstrations that took over campus grounds on May 2 and May 23.

More information on UCLA’s commencement ceremonies can be found here.

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