California State University, Los Angeles, has banned all pro-Palestinian protesters from campus.
Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes announced that the protesters are banned after occupying and trashing a building that she was in.
Driving the news: Most of the employees were able to leave the Student Services Building after protesters barricaded it, but a group of administrators remained to manage the situation, including the university President Berenecea Johnson Eanes.
- The group of protesters also set up an encampment on campus, which they have occupied for around 40 days.
- After the protests, the university has announced that all main campus operations and classes will be remote until further notice.
- The protesters who occupied the building were given a warning to leave or face arrest, and most of them left except for a few who ultimately left when university police ordered them out.
Go deeper: The CSULA Gaza Solidarity Encampment, the group responsible for the protests, indicated that members were staging a sit-in in the building.
- There were no arrests or injuries reported, but significant damage was reportedly done to the building’s exterior, interior, equipment, materials, and structure.
What they’re saying: Eanes said in a statement that she had been engaging with protesters, but this week’s events have changed how she is handling the situation.
- “So long as the encampment remained non-violent, I was committed that the university would continue to talk. But in the wake of destruction and theft that occurred Wednesday, a line was crossed and “those in the encampment must leave,” Eanes said.
- She continued, ““I am saddened, and I am angry. Campus community: Know that we will recover from this, but also know that I am committed to doing everything we can to ensure this will never be allowed to repeat. I cannot and would not protect anyone who is directly identified as having participated in last night’s illegal activities from being held accountable.”
