UCLA’s chancellor on Monday night time outlined actions the varsity is taking within the aftermath of mob violence towards protesters on campus final week.
Chancellor Gene Block mentioned college police would work with the LAPD and the county district lawyer to determine and prosecute “to the fullest extent of the regulation” those that attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment. The college “additionally related with the FBI about potential help,” Block mentioned in a press release.
Simply earlier than midnight Tuesday, a big group arrived on the Westwood campus, some sporting masks. Some within the mob — seen stay on TV and the web — used plastic pipes and planks to strike pro-Palestinian protesters. As these inside used pepper spray and tried to defend the positioning’s perimeter, attackers tried to tear down barricades and hurled objects. Fireworks have been launched into the encampment.
“This was a really despicable act,” Block mentioned Monday.
The violence went unchecked for a number of hours earlier than dozens of officers from the California Freeway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Division and different businesses arrived — a gradual response that has spurred widespread consternation and scrutiny.
Rick Braziel, UCLA’s newly appointed affiliate vice chancellor and chief security officer, will lead the “investigation to determine the perpetrators of the violence and maintain them to account,” Block mentioned.
The chancellor mentioned Braziel would even be conducting “a cautious evaluate” of the UCLA Police Division response to the assault, in addition to “an evaluation of UCLA’s safety protocols and a broader evaluation of all acts of violence during the last 12 days, together with these towards counter-protesters.”
The chancellor mentioned Los Angeles police have “dedicated a detective to help in our investigative efforts, and now we have additionally related with the FBI about potential help.”
College officers even have “spoken to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón,” he mentioned, “to solicit his assist in guaranteeing that the instigators might be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the regulation.”
Block mentioned the UCLA Police Division has been directed to “make investments no matter sources are wanted to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation.”
Campus police are reviewing video from the incident and interviewing witnesses, he mentioned.
“We urge anybody who noticed the violence firsthand or who has details about the assault to report it as quickly as potential,” Block mentioned.
The FBI mentioned in a press release to The Instances it was “in shut contact with state and native regulation enforcement companions.” The company added, “We respect the rights of people to peacefully train their 1st Modification rights and the FBI investigates people who violate federal regulation via violence or different prison exercise.”
