UCLA anti-Israel protesters took hand-to-hand combat classes ahead of bloody clash
Anti-Israel protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles held hand-to-hand combat classes inside their encampment just hours before violence broke out and police were called in to quell the demonstration.
The organizers at the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment promoted a course titled, “Dealing with Cops Workshop,” which was held Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m, according to the UCLA Students for Justice in Palestine.
Viral video shared on social media depicts the course, showing protesters gathered in a circle as a group in the middle appeared to teach them how to tank blows from police.
One of the demonstrators showed off the proper form students should take in a fight that protects their faces, with the man showing how the stance helps block a punch.
Another man appeared to show how easily a person could be knocked back after their leg is grabbed.
Along with the training, protesters at the borders of the encampment were equipped with hard hats and trash cans turned into makeshift riot shields, Mercury News reports.
The prep work put in by the protesters was put to use hours later after chaos unfolded at the Los Angeles campus when protesters, counter-protesters, and police clashed overnight.
After UCLA officials declared that the encampment “is unlawful and violates university policy,” a large group of pro-Israeli demonstrators set out to tear down the barricades at the protest site, with the anti-Israel protesters fighting back.
The commotion saw firecrackers being set off, with one fired at the encampment, as the protesters and counter-protesters fought, throwing chairs and other objects at each other before the LAPD was called to the scene.
“Horrific acts of violence occurred at the encampment tonight and we immediately called law enforcement for mutual aid support,” Mary Osako, vice chancellor for UCLA Strategic Communications, said in a statement.
“The fire department and medical personnel are on the scene. We are sickened by this senseless violence and it must end.”
It remains unclear how many people were injured, and to what extent, but some protesters were seen bloodied in the aftermath of the clash, the LA Times reports.
UC President Michael V. Drake defended the school’s decision and said it’s the university’s job to balance the freedom to protest while also ensuring safety on campus.
“The University of California campuses will work with students, faculty and staff to make space available and do all we can to protect these protests and demonstrations,” Drake said in a statement.
“But disruptive unlawful protests that violate the rights of our fellow citizens are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”
With Post wires
