Violent clashes have broken out after pro-Israeli demonstrators attacked pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
According to BBC, a masked pro-Israeli group assaulted a pro-Palestinian student camp early on Wednesday.
Online footages show that a large pro-Israeli group arrived on campus and attempted to dismantle barriers.
Wooden boards were used as a makeshift barricade to protect the pro-Palestinian protestors before the police were called to the campus.
One pro-Palestine student told BBC, “Tonight they escalated to a whole new level, they started inciting violence.”
Gavin Newsom took to X (previously Twitter) to condemn the violence.
He said, “The law is clear. The right to free speech does not extend to inciting violence, vandalism or lawlessness."
Newsom furthered that those responsible “Must be held accountable... including through criminal prosecution, suspension, or expulsion".
Moreover, the office of California’s governor has criticized police response to the violent event.
Spokesperson of the Governor said that the ‘limited and delayed’ police intervention is ‘unacceptable.’
Meanwhile, the Chancellor of UCLA, Gene Block, announced that the school will conduct an investigation.
The Chancellor also warned that the investigation may lead to ‘arrest, expulsions and dismissals.’
