Thousands of pro-Israel counter-protesters demonstrated on April 28 at the perimeter of the Dickson Plaza pro-Palestine encampment. Organized by the Israeli American Council, the largest Israel-American organization in the U.S., the counter-protest occupied the remainder of Dickson Plaza and necessitated a security presence to separate the two groups.
Pro-Palestine protesters established a peaceful, barricaded encampment of twenty tents on April 25 in Dickson Plaza. Over 200 students have joined the encampment since, which is being organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace and the UC Divest Coalition at UCLA. Protesters in the pro-Palestine camp demand that the University of California divest from companies affiliated with the Israel Defense Forces.
The protest at UCLA takes place as more and more student protest groups across the country appear on major U.S. university campuses. Mobilized by the reported actions of the Israel Defense Forces, pro-Palestine protesters demand financial divestment and a military ceasefire. Responding to instances of antisemitism and the ongoing hostage crisis, pro-Israel protesters call for the release of the hostages and greater protections for Jewish students on university campuses. The national anti-war student protest first originated on the Columbia University campus on April 17.
Israeli counter-protesters walk across the grass of Janss/Kuruvungna Steps bearing the flag of Israel. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
An Israeli counter-protester approaches a line of pro-Palestine protesters on Janss/Kuruvungna Steps. Barriers, created by students inside the encampment, surround Dickson Plaza and block off the top of Janss/Kuruvungna Steps. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A group of pro-Palestine protesters on Portola Plaza join the demonstration after the Israeli American Council’s, or IAC's, counter-protesters take over part of Dickson Plaza. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters clash on Portola Plaza. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
A pro-Israel protester gives the middle finger to one of BruinLife's reporters. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A single protester is turned away from the Janss/Kuruvungna-Steps-facing side of the pro-Palestine encampment. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A pro-Israel protester carries the flag of Israel up to the perimeter of Janss/Kuruvungna Steps facing the side of the encampment. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
Students line up by a check-in point for the pro-Palestine encampment. Calls for a medic were overheard nearby. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A pro-Palestine protester waves the flag of Palestine while speaking through a megaphone. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A counter-counter protest demonstrates against the pro-Israel protest on Portola Plaza. Pro-Palestine protesters call for the University of California's divestment from companies tied to Israel, as well as for a ceasefire to the conflict which has caused famine and destruction in the Gaza Strip. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
IAC-affiliated performers arrive in Dickson Plaza. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
Pro-Israel protesters crowd Dickson Plaza, waving both the flag of Israel and the United States. Organized by the Israeli American Council, the pro-Israel protest centered around a benefit concert, most prominently playing the Star Spangled Banner. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A pro-Palestine protester waves a Free Palestine flag above the walls of the encampment. Student protesters constructed the barriers using pallet boards and fences, restricting access to a few controlled points. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 28, pro-Israel protesters occupied the Dickson Plaza lawn neighboring the pro-Palestine encampment. Campus security forces manned passageways between the two groups. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A pro-Palestine protester lowers their mask to smile at the pro-Israel side. Per the Daily Bruin, security forces were engaged by UCLA to maintain a no-access zone between the two protest groups. Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife.
A pro-Palestine organizer appears from behind the encampment walls holding up a sign that reads "NOT IN MY NAME," with the "A" being written with the Star of David. The encampment spread overnight past the Shapiro Fountain, barricading Janss/Kuruvungna Steps and adjacent walkways. Photographed by Finn Martin/Bruinlife.
—
Featured Image Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
