You may be thinking, “is this another story about the IDF targeting journalists?” While it is true that the CPJ reports 97 journalists and media workers confirmed dead as of May 1, this is about the targeting of student journalists by pro-war counter-protestors on US college campuses. The LA Times reports:
Daily Bruin news editor Catherine Hamilton, 21, told The Times she recognized one of the counterprotesters as someone who had previously verbally harassed her and taken pictures of her press badge. The individual instructed the group to encircle the student journalists, she said, before they sprayed the four with mace or pepper spray, flashed lights in their faces and chanted Hamilton’s name.
As she tried to break free, Hamilton said, she was punched repeatedly in the chest and upper abdomen; another student journalist was pushed to the ground and beaten and kicked for nearly a minute. The attack was first reported in the Daily Bruin.
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Despite what happened, Hamilton said, she will continue to cover the campus unrest.
Four UCLA student journalists attacked by pro-Israel counterprotesters on campus
And, an obvious question might be, “aren’t there a ton of police at the campus that could step in to prevent the numerous assaults that took place?” Well, of course, this is the US, where there are always ample police to attack protestors, but defending them they’re always short-staffed. They were no match for “dozens” of counter-protestors intent on assaulting people.
When dozens of counterprotesters swarmed UCLA late Tuesday night, attacking the Palestinian solidarity encampment at the center of campus, university authorities were quickly overwhelmed.
Law enforcement sources told The Times there were only a few UCLA police officers on hand. They tried to stop the violence but were no match for the crowd and had to retreat, having been attacked themselves, the sources said.
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The violence began around 10:30 p.m., when counterprotesters arrived at UCLA. People inside the encampment quickly began asking for help, saying they were under attack. The counterprotesters, some wearing all black and white masks, surrounded the encampment and tried to break down the barricades, shooting fireworks at them and kicking the wooden boards around the camp.
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Dozens of law enforcement personnel began moving into the area after 1:30 a.m. Many counterprotesters had left by then. But some clashes continued until the operation was fully complete after 3 a.m.
‘Unacceptable’: Why it took hours for police to quell attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian camp
Hamilton’s piece this evening:
The Palestine solidarity encampment braced for a sweep of the area as UCLA administration limited campus operations following counter-protesters’ incitement of violence in Dickson Plaza on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, the university released a statement saying that the pro-Palestine encampment was unlawful, and UCLA-affiliated participants may face disciplinary actions such as suspension and expulsion. Around 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, protesters inside the encampment were issued a dispersal order.
From late Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning, counter-protesters of the encampment attempted to seize its barricades and force entry as they launched fireworks, metal barriers and tear gas toward the encampment.
Palestine solidarity encampment at UCLA braces for police sweep