On Thursday morning, a total of 132 arrests were made on the UCLA campus during an operation aimed at removing a protest encampment. According to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Alejandro Rubio, approximately 250 officers, including personnel from various jurisdictions, were involved in the operation. This equated to about one officer for every protester present in the encampment.
Despite the tense situation, authorities reported that no officers were injured during the operation. However, there were instances where fire extinguishers and water bottles were thrown at the police. In response to the escalating situation, CHP public information officer Alec Pereyda mentioned the use of flash bangs. These devices were deployed into the air as a means to gain the attention of the crowd and signal that it was time to disperse and vacate the area.
Following the operation, the UCLA Police Department will be responsible for determining whether charges will be filed against any of the individuals involved in the protest encampment. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that law enforcement agencies face when managing large-scale demonstrations and ensuring public safety.
