Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators at UCLA clashed on Sunday during a rally to support Jewish students.
The Israeli American Council was joined by other Jewish organizations during a rally Sunday morning.
It came days after Pro-Palestinian solidarity encampments were set up on the UCLA campus.
A statement by Avital Hezkiya with Israeli American Council Shepherd Community Center and obtained from the Daily Bruin, the student newspaper at UCLA, claims that the rally received a permit from UCLA. The newspaper received confirmation about this permit from UCLA Media Relations spokesperson Ricardo Vazquez.
Mary Osako, vice chancellor of UCLA strategic communications, said in a statement that a barrier between the group of demonstrators was breached, which resulted in “physical altercations.”
A woman on the pro-Israel side told KNX News’ Emily Valdez she and her dog were attacked.
“They trampled me to the ground and then kicked my dog and campus police just said you need to leave even though they were on our side right here where they said we could rally today,” she said.
Elan Carr, the CEO of Israeli American Council, spoke at the UCLA rally. He said the other side, meaning the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, is not interested in free speech.
“They're interested in destruction in tearing down the very fabric of America, and look now people are missing their flights because freeways are being blocked,” he said. “Kids can't get to class because campuses are being blocked. Graduation ceremonies are being cancelled because of safety concerns. We will not allow this to happen and America cannot indulge this kind of behavior.”
Emily said she tried to speak with Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, but said no one from the group would speak with her.
No arrests were reported.
UCLA released a statement that read, in part, ”UCLA has a long history of being a place of peaceful protest, and we are heartbroken about the violence that broke out.”
City News Service contributed to this story.
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