Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over to break up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school while inspiring others.
In addition, police and protesters clashed at the University of Arizona’s Tucson campus, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
After a couple of hours of scuffles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators at UCLA, police wearing helmets and face shields formed lines and slowly separated the groups, quelling the violence. At least 15 protesters suffered injuries, and the tepid response by authorities drew criticism from political leaders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as Muslim students and advocacy groups.
