Authorities Dismantle 'Gaza Solidarity' Encampment At UC San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Dozens of protestors were arrested while authorities dismantled the "Gaza Solidarity" encampment Monday at UC San Diego.

Authorities declared the encampment an unlawful assembly around 5:45 a.m. and ordered the protesters to leave. Law enforcement "successfully removed an illegal encampment" on the campus after five days of attempts to communicate with protestors and "multiple, clear requests to disperse," UCSD Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla said in a statement sent to Patch.

"The decision to clear the campsite was made due to consideration of the significant dangers to people inside and outside of the encampment," Khosla said.

"Upon entering the campsite, wooden stakes, propane tanks, metal and plywood shields, aerosol spray cans and a sword were discovered, all of which posed unacceptable hazards for health, fire safety and security," he said. "Additionally, participants denied access to fire marshal and health inspectors, established check points and limited free access to areas of campus. These are all intolerable actions on the UC San Diego campus, which exists for the benefit of all university affiliates."

A total of 64 people were arrested, according to the university. Of those arrested, 40 were students and 24 were unaffiliated or their status was unknown. Two minor injuries were reported.

The arrested students have been or will be placed under immediate interim suspension, according to the university.

After the encampment was removed, Khosla said that protesters interfered with police operations, including physically obstructing officers and buses, blocking movement and banging on windows in an attempt to hinder the arrest process. This resulted in one additional arrest.

The encampment started around noon Wednesday when protestors set up several tents on the grass adjacent to Library Walk.

In a statement on Sunday, Khosla asked students, faculty, staff and others to peacefully disperse.

"We began communicating with participants within minutes of the camp's establishment," Khosla said. "Nevertheless, the encampment has tripled in size in violation of the group's commitment not to expand the footprint. This encampment poses an unacceptable safety and security hazard on campus."

On Monday, the university announced that there was police activity from North Torrey Pines Road to Interstate 5.

Non-essential employees were advised to move to remote operations Monday, while essential employees were directed to report to work as usual, according to UCSD.

All west campus facilities were closed, but dining and housing remained open. All events scheduled Monday on the west campus were canceled.

The UC San Diego Central Campus Trolley Station was temporarily closed Monday, according to the Metropolitan Transit System. Trains were bypassing the station. The Gilman Transit Center was also closed and buses were detouring around activity.

"UC San Diego encourages and allows peaceful protests, but this encampment violated campus policy and the law and grew to pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of the campus community," Khosla said.

UCSD was expected to resume normal operations at 6 a.m. Tuesday.