Police Clash with Anti-Israel Protesters at UC Irvine in Campus Standoff

On Wednesday, May 15, chaos unfolded at the University of California, Irvine, as anti-Israel protesters swarmed the campus in protest of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Law enforcement agencies responded to the situation, with the Irvine Police Department and Organge County Sheriff's department providing immediate assistance. The protesters reportedly entered the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall and began setting up barricades, prompting the university to issue evacuation orders for students and faculty in the area.

Protesters' Actions

The demonstrators were seen chanting "free, free Palestine" and "Long live Palestine," while holding umbrellas and engaging in a stand-off with law enforcement officers. The encampment, which had been present on the campus since April 29, saw an escalation as the protesters clashed with police and attempted to barricade the buildings.

The law enforcement from various agencies worked to topple the encampment tents and disperse the protesters from the campus. The situation led to the cancellation of classes for the rest of the day, with authorities urging people to steer clear of the campus for their safety.

UC Irvine assured that they are closely monitoring the situation and strongly advising individuals to avoid the campus until further notice. Furthermore, they noted that any updates concerning the incident will be promptly shared with the public.