In a dramatic turn of events, pro-Palestinian protesters entered and barricaded the Student Services Building at California State University, Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to video footage from CNN affiliate KABC. The group, consisting of approximately 50 to 100 protesters, blocked exits on the first floor and restricted access to the building, prompting university spokesperson Erik Frost Hollins to ask employees on the upper floors to shelter in place, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

While the protesters stated that their intentions were not to harm anyone inside, university staff members were advised to stay inside the building to handle the situation, as reported by the Times. This action forced the university to transfer all classes and operations to a remote platform until further notice, with an urgent message posted on the university's website discouraging anyone from coming to the main campus.

The ongoing demonstrations stem from growing frustration with university officials who released a message concerning encampments, which the protesters claimed were repetitive and failed to address their concerns, as revealed in an interview with KABC. CNN has reached out to Cal State, Los Angeles, for comment, though no response has been received thus far.

Video footage from KABC captured the protesters rearranging furniture on the first floor, as well as signs on windows and plywood with spray-painted messages, such as "The time to escalate is now!" and "CSU stop funding genocide." The Student Services Building is also the location of Cal State, Los Angeles, President Berenecea Johnson Eanes' office, and she remains inside the building, according to KABC.

In response to the escalating situation, the university called upon the Los Angeles Police Department for assistance. Police are working on a plan and have increased their presence on campus, but no specific details have been disclosed, according to CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS.

These protests at Cal State, Los Angeles take place amidst a backdrop of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have occurred on American campuses denouncing Israel's actions in the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Similar protests have gripped schools nationwide, with UCLA, located just 20 miles west of Cal State, Los Angeles, experiencing their own demonstrations. On Monday, 27 people were arrested at UCLA for setting up pro-Palestinian encampments that were deemed unlawful by the police. Several University of California Police Department personnel and safety officers were injured during these confrontations, as stated by Rick Braziel, UCLA's associate vice chancellor for campus safety, in a news release on Tuesday.

Amongst those arrested at UCLA, 18 were students, two were faculty members, and one was a former student, while the others had no affiliation with the university. The protests continue to challenge university administrations and law enforcement agencies across the country as they navigate the delicate balance between upholding free speech rights and maintaining campus safety.