Law enforcement officers in riot gear swiftly moved in on Thursday to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment constructed by demonstrators on the campus of UCLA. The encampment, located on Kerckhoff Patio and consisting of wood barricades, had blocked access to a campus building, leading officials to declare it an "unlawful assembly."

The Los Angeles Police Department announced a tactical alert, prompting the university to switch some classes from in-person to remote learning. Sky5 aerial footage captured the operation as officers from multiple agencies removed the encampment around 12:30 p.m. This action prompted the demonstrators, who were calling for divestment from Israeli interests, to march towards the center of campus.

Minor scuffles ensued between police and protesters during the clearance operation, but it remains unclear if any arrests were made. In response to the disruptive activities of the protesters, UCLA administrators released a statement declaring that the demonstrators' actions, including erecting barricades and fortifications and blocking access to parts of the campus and buildings, were disrupting campus operations.

According to the university, demonstrators had been warned that failing to disperse would result in arrest, as well as possible disciplinary action and a seven-day ban from campus. This directive was applicable to both students and non-student demonstrators, as well as faculty members.

Coinciding with this latest demonstration was a congressional hearing on campus protests at UCLA and other U.S. colleges and universities. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, who testified during the hearing, has come under scrutiny for a delayed police response to violence between pro-Palestinian protesters and counterprotesters.

Block acknowledged the challenges faced by public universities, stating that while they strive to protect students from discrimination, they must also uphold free speech. Public universities, unlike their private counterparts, are bound by the First Amendment and must protect even hateful speech, unless it crosses the line into threats and harassment.

During his testimony, Block expressed regret over the delayed response to the violence, admitting that in hindsight, the encampment should have been swiftly removed to ensure the safety of the community.

As tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to impact campuses across the nation, universities like UCLA grapple with striking a balance between freedom of expression and the maintenance of a safe and inclusive environment for their students.