Thousands of people turned out to the University of California, Los Angeles campus Wednesday night, just short of 24 hours after violence broke out between demonstrators in the pro-Palestinian encampment and pro-Israeli counter-protesters.
On Wednesday, Sky5 was overhead as a large law enforcement presence began to position themselves on different sides of the encampment.
Not long after police showed up, authorities ordered demonstrators to disperse, declaring the encampment an unlawful assembly over a loudspeaker.
Aerial footage showed hundreds of demonstrators locking arms in front of the path leading to the encampment and reinforcing barricades, as law enforcement surrounded the encampment.
Hours later, at around 9 p.m., demonstrators were still occupying the encampment with police on the outskirts despite the orders to disperse issued earlier in the afternoon.
The crowd outside the encampment grew into thousands as the night continued, though the rowdy demonstration remained mostly peaceful even as law enforcement, including officers from the California Highway Patrol, increased their presence.
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Pro-Palestinian protestors refused to leave the UCLA campus after officers arrived and a dispersal order was given on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Pro-Palestinian protestors refused to leave the UCLA campus after officers arrived and a dispersal order was given on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Pro-Palestinian protestors refused to leave the UCLA campus after officers arrived and a dispersal order was given on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
A portion of a pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA encampment 
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Around two dozen enforcement vehicles seen on the campus of UCLA on May 1 after violence broke out against pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protesters. (KTLA) 
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Police officers arrived as a dispersal order was given to a large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Protestors camped outside of a building at the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Around two dozen enforcement vehicles arrived on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024 after violence broke out against pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protesters. (KTLA) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Around two dozen enforcement vehicles arrived on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024 after violence broke out against pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protesters. (KTLA) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
A counter protester shouts at pro-Palestinian protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) 
A Pro-Palestinian protestor clashes with a pro-Israeli supporter at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) 
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: Barricades surround the encampment for the Pro- Palestine group as the pro-Israel group grabs the front barricades at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
US Police officers stand guard near a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), after clashes erupted in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA) 
Around two dozen enforcement vehicles arrived on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024 after violence broke out against pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israeli counter-protesters. (KTLA)
Hostilities outside the encampment had been simmering since demonstrators took over Royce Quad last Thursday, setting up dozens of tents and surrounding themselves with metal fences and wood pallets.
At around 11 p.m. Tuesday night, some 50 pro-Israeli counter-protesters, many of them dressed in black and wearing white masks, lobbed fireworks at those in the encampment and attempted to dismantle the barricades.
For at least two hours, campus police stood by as both factions traded punches, hurled items at each other, and dispersed pepper spray and fire extinguishers in a chaotic scene that wasn’t contained until around 2 a.m. when LAPD officers arrived.
Demonstrators said they believe UCLA Chancellor Gene Block’s statement on Tuesday labeling the encampment as “unauthorized” provided an opening for counter-protesters to take matters into their own hands.
According to police, no arrests were made, and no force was used.
School officials on Wednesday morning, canceled all classes as a result of Tuesday’s violence.
Officials also announced that Royce Hall will be closed through Friday and that Powell Library won’t reopen until Monday.
Throughout Wednesday night, demonstrators booed as law enforcement, dressed in riot gear, set up what appeared to be skirmish lines on different sides of the encampment, many of them chanting, “We don’t see no riot here! Why are you in riot gear?”
Around midnight, protesters inside the encampment remained in place and no arrests were reported.
