UCLA Chancellor Gene Block released a letter to the campus community Thursday afternoon following the chaotic events of recent days, including overnight drama that unfolded when police cleared a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on Royce Quad.
“Our community is in deep pain. We are reeling from days of violence and division. And we hope with all our hearts that we can return to a place where our students, faculty and staff feel safe and, one day, connected again,” Block said in his campus message.
He said the university had planned to allow protestors and community members to voice their opinions about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas as long as students and educators were not placed in harm’s way. But following violent conflicts between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators, the decision was made to clear Royce Quad.
“Demonstrators directly interfered with instruction by blocking students’ pathways to classrooms. Indirectly, violence related to the encampment led to the closure of academic buildings and the cancellation of classes. And frankly, hostilities were only continuing to escalate,” Block wrote. “In the end, the encampment on Royce Quad was both unlawful and a breach of policy.”
The university chancellor said those who remained in the encampment into the late hours were given multiple warnings to disperse prior to law enforcement entering. He said about 300 demonstrators left voluntarily, while about 200 remained and were arrested.
Block said he wanted the university to be a place where students and faculty are encouraged to make their voices heard, but said violence would not be tolerated.
He also called the mounting deaths in Gaza “devastating,” and said the school would continue to support pro-Palestinian demonstrators and their First Amendment rights to protest, as well as Jewish students and faculty who are still reeling from the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, as well as rising antisemitic sentiment across the globe.
He added that UCLA would continue to investigate the violent incidents that took place on campus, particularly those sparked by a “mob of instigators.” In the meantime, counseling and support resources are being made available to all students and staff.
“I also hope we can support one another through this difficult moment and reaffirm the ties that unite us as a community of learning,” Block concluded.