Security increased for UCLA graduation ceremony following pro-Palestinian protests
Vivian Chow
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.
FILE – Demonstrators walk in an encampment on the UCLA campus after clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. Leaders from Northwestern University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Rutgers University are expected to testify before Congress on Thursday, the latest in a series of hearings spearheaded by House Republicans into how colleges have responded to pro-Palestinian protests on their campuses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)
UCLA students prepare for their commencement ceremony on June 13, 2024. (KTLA)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 2: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at UCLA as the US Police attempt to disperse the crowd, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A large encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (KTLA)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 2: Police officers take control of Royce Hall after pushing back pro-Palestinian protesters after an oder to disperse was given at UCLA early Thursday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
FILE – Demonstrators gather on the UCLA campus, after nighttime clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A group of pro-Israel supporters hold arms as they sing and dance outside a pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. As the death toll mounts in the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis worsens, protesters at universities across the country are demanding schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Police confront demonstrators on the campus of UCLA on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (KTLA)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators lock arms on the UCLA campus Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Police face-off with pro-Palestinian students after destroying part of the encampment barricade on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES CA MAY 2, 2024 — Police tear down the tents on the UCLA campus Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Jason Armond / 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)
Police confront demonstrators on the campus of UCLA on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (KTLA)
Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles – the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles – the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Pro-Palestinian demonstrators regroup and rebuild the barricade surrounding the encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt with counter protesters, 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, US television media footage showed, 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)
Workers clean up the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus after police evicted pro-Palestinian students, in Los Angeles, California, early on May 2, 2024. Hundreds of police tore down protest barricades and began arresting students early Thursday at the University of California, Los Angeles – the latest flashpoint in an eruption of protest on US campuses over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Police confront demonstrators on the campus of UCLA on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (KTLA)
L.A. police in riot gear armed with non-lethal weapons move in on pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA on June 10, 2024. (KTLA)
UCLA students prepare for their commencement ceremony on June 13, 2024. (KTLA)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators seen on the campus of UCLA on June 10, 2024. (KTLA)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators seen on the campus of UCLA on June 10, 2024. (KTLA)
A student walks toward Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA on March 11, 2020. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
UCLA’s campus is shown in a file photo.(Credit: Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
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“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.
