Police Disperse Gaza Camp At UC Irvine, Making Multiple Arrests

Police were called to the University of California at Irvine to disperse a Gaza camp that had been set up by students and activists, resulting in multiple arrests. The camp, located in the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall, was cleared on Wednesday afternoon after demonstrators attempted to erect tents on campus grounds.

According to reports from KTLA, students barricaded themselves in the lecture hall before venturing outside to pitch tents around 2:30 p.m. The gathering was deemed an unlawful assembly, prompting law enforcement officers from various agencies to create a skirmish line near the demonstrators.

Local law enforcement, including the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department, responded to the scene following a call from the university. The campus had been occupied by anti-Israel protesters since April 29, with activists entering buildings and erecting barricades.

In response to the situation, UC Irvine issued a statement advising individuals in the vicinity of the protest to exit buildings and leave the area immediately. The university later canceled classes for the remainder of the day and transitioned to fully remote instruction for the following day.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the constitutional right to peaceful assembly in a statement posted to X, but warned against criminal activity such as violence and vandalism. He stated that any evidence of criminal behavior would be thoroughly investigated.

After police activity concluded, UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman addressed the situation in a statement, expressing disappointment at the escalation of events. Gillman had initially sought to avoid police intervention but deemed it necessary following the protesters’ actions, which he described as a direct assault on the rights of other students and the university’s mission.

Gillman reaffirmed the university’s commitment to protecting the rights of all community members to express their viewpoints while condemning efforts to suppress academic freedom and free speech.