UCLA Chancellor Gene Block expressed regret for not acting sooner to remove the pro-Palestinian encampment that was violently attacked by counter-protesters.
Block, testifying before a congressional committee in Washington, D.C., acknowledged that with the benefit of hindsight, the encampment should have been removed immediately if the safety of the community was at risk.
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The big picture: Bock said he followed the UC system guidance initially, which advised using law enforcement to remove protesters only when absolutely necessary to protect campus safety.
- The encampment, which grew to over 500 protesters, led Block to decide to remove it on April 28, but due to delays in the notice, a violent attack by counter-demonstrators occurred, resulting in injuries.
- During the hearing, Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized Block, stating that the violent attacks could have been prevented by protecting the pro-Palestinian students peacefully gathered on campus.
- Block also faced questions about allegations that the encampment blocked Jewish and pro-Israel students from parts of the campus, with criticism from Rep. Virginia Foxx and Rep. Kevin Kiley.
- Protesters were setting up a new encampment on the UCLA campus during the hearing, and faculty members from Rutgers, Northwestern, and UCLA criticized the congressional committee, calling the hearing an attack on higher education.
