UCLA chancellor announces investigation into student camp attack

Chancellor Block’s statement comes five days after the violent attack on campus

A full five days after the horrific events on the night of April 30th and in the early hours of May 1st, Chancellor Gene Block has released a statement regarding an investigation into the group of 100 men who ran the UCLA student camp Palestine Solidarity Encamp for four and four years have attacked half an hour. Students were beaten and attacked with bear spray, fireworks were fired and thrown into the camp, and projectiles were hurled at them as they tried to defend themselves against a group that wanted to hurt them and break into the camp.

What the attackers planned to do after arriving at the camp never came to fruition, as the students managed to repel the violent attack on their camp until Mayor Karen Bass gave the UCLA administration permission to attack the Los Angeles Police Department at 1:00 p.m to call UCPD stood aside and did nothing while the men tried for hours to storm the camp’s barricades.

We reported on this attack last week and this reporter was also attacked, threatened and bear sprayed for committing the crime of documenting the angry aggression as it occurred. The UCPD ignored every attempt to report the violence that night.

Chancellor Block’s statement reads as follows:

Dear Bruin community:

Last Tuesday evening, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad and violently attacked students, faculty and staff who had set up camp to advocate for Palestinian rights. This was a truly despicable act, and in my message to campus the next day I committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.

This remains an important priority. To that end, First Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Safety Officer Rick Braziel is leading a law enforcement investigation to identify the perpetrators of the violence and hold them accountable. The LAPD has retained a detective to assist with our investigative efforts, and we have also contacted the FBI about possible assistance. We spoke with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to ask for his help in ensuring that the instigators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

AVC Braziel and I have directed UCPD to invest all necessary resources to conduct a rapid and thorough investigation into the violent attack. UCPD is currently reviewing all available footage from last Tuesday evening and speaking with witnesses present. We urge anyone who saw the violence firsthand or has information about the attack to report it as soon as possible.

Our new Office of Campus Safety – led by AVC Braziel – is also conducting a thorough review of UCPD’s response to Tuesday night’s attack. Additionally, we are conducting an analysis of UCLA’s security protocols and a broader assessment of all acts of violence over the past 12 days, including those against counter-protesters. AVC Braziel’s office will develop a plan that implements key findings and additional measures to protect the well-being of everyone on our campus.

It is critical to hold the perpetrators of this attack accountable and improve our security measures on campus. Our community members can only learn, work and thrive in an environment where they feel safe.

Sincerely,

Gene D Block
Chancellor