UCLA-FA Statement on the Anniversary of the April 30 Attack on Our Students
Statement of the UCLA Faculty Association on the Anniversary of the Violent Dissolution of the Palestine Solidarity Encampment
Just over one year ago, a group of student anti-war activists erected a Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) on Royce Quad, with the goal of bringing attention to the role of UCLA in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. In the style of previous, storied protests, students demanded divestment of UC funds from the war and war profiteers.
A few days later on April 30, 2024, UCLA posted signs declaring the PSE unlawful; a few hours later, outside agitators began an attack on the PSE and activists within. An article in May 3 in the New York Times stated: “Except for a brief attempt to capture a loudspeaker used by counterprotesters, and water bottles being tossed out of the encampment, none of the videos analyzed by The Times show any clear instance of encampment protesters initiating confrontations with counterprotesters beyond defending the barricades.” Volunteer medics at the encampment wrote that “More than 150 students were assaulted with pepper spray and bear mace. . . Our efforts were compounded by police barring emergency medical services (EMS) from attending to the wounded. Police obstructed the only exit route from the encampment. . . At least 25 injured encampment members were escorted or driven in private vehicles to local emergency rooms.” Law enforcement including UCPD did nothing to stop the violence until 2:50am.
David Myers, Distinguished Professor and Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History, wrote, “The attack last night was pure anarchy in which violent thugs were given free rein, seemingly with the tacit support of law enforcement. It placed scores of anti-war demonstrators in the encampment in direct and serious danger. Moreover, the actions last night do absolutely nothing to assure the security and well-being of Jewish students, staff or faculty.” In the words of 86 Law School faculty and staff, “The university administration did not orchestrate the violence endured by the students who were peacefully demonstrating on the Royce Quad. We nonetheless believe it bears ultimate responsibility for what occurred.”
The following day, rather than reckon with the systematic failure that allowed such events, “militarized police in full riot gear used brute force, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and zip ties to intimidate UCLA students, faculty, and staff in the encampment for several hours before storming the encampment and violently arresting 200 of the students, faculty, and staff who were peacefully protesting.” There were “at least 25 instances in which officers appeared to aim their weapons at the eye-level of pro-Palestinian protesters or fired them into crowds,” in violation of California law. Volunteer medics wrote: “Across both nights, we provided urgent care and triaged dozens of students, faculty, and community members whose injuries included… severe head lacerations, facial fractures, brain hemorrhages, piercing rubber bullet wounds, broken bones, police-induced trample injuries, and asthma attacks induced by chemical irritants.”
More people were arrested or detained at UCLA in connection with campus protests than at any other university in the United States. The violence of April 30 and May 1 at UCLA represent, to date, the most extreme event of institutional mass violence in the history of US higher education since May 4, 1970, when four students were killed and nine wounded at Kent State University. Yet administrators, who according to the results of an independent investigation, “engaged in a chaotic process in which they needed to make difficult decisions—some appearing to be matter of first impression for many involved,” have not apologized, have not acknowledged their actions, and have not faced consequences.
On June 3, 2024, following in the footsteps of colleagues at UC-AFT and AFSCME, the UCLA Faculty Association (UCLA-FA) filed unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against the University of California, arguing that UCLA’s actions both interfered with faculty’s protected right to advocate and organize regarding matters that impact their workplace, and faculty members’ exercise of their protected rights, including the right to academic freedom, by adopting overbroad rules in the aftermath of the attacks and police sweep.
This silencing of faculty speech and action continues. On April 28, 2025, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk wrote that “the terrible acts of violence on April 30, 2024 continue to weigh heavily on our community” and “Healing, reconciliation and rebuilding trust take time.” The statement lionizes an administrative response that has included increasing the presence of surveillance and security personnel on campus. This statement attempts to remove law enforcement’s illegal acts of violence on May 1 from our shared memory, and to remove UCLA’s responsibility for the violence of both April 30 and May 1. Reconciliation cannot take place when those responsible refuse to acknowledge either the extent of the violence, or their responsibility for it.
Beginning on April 25, 2025, police squad cars have been parked in the middle of Royce Quad, with many police officers and security personnel surrounding the area. Police officers said that they were engaging in a “high visibility patrol” because of the anniversary of last year’s encampment. There is no security threat nor operational reason for placing squad cars in the symbolic heart of our university. This is a statement about how unfavored speech and expression will be met at our institution.
The stance of any university—a place whose very value hinges on free thought, dialogue, and expression—cannot be intimidation. The heart of a university cannot be a squad car.