Monday morning saw operations at the UC San Diego's west campus interrupted by a police intervention aimed at clearing the "Gaza Solidarity" encampment. The encampment, standing for six days, had remained peaceful until then. The university declared the area from North Torrey Pines Road to Interstate 5 as an active scene.

 

As a precautionary measure, non-essential employees were advised to work remotely, while essential personnel were instructed to report to work as usual. The university announced the closure of all west campus facilities for Monday, although housing and dining remained open. Additionally, all scheduled events and university classes on the west campus were canceled, with classes transitioning to remote operation.

 

(1/3) UC San Diego's West Campus operations are suspended from North Torrey Pines Road to Interstate 5 due to police activity. Avoid the area. Non-essential employees should move to remote operations; essential employees should report to work as usual.

— UC San Diego (@UCSanDiego) May 6, 2024

 

Furthermore, the UC San Diego Central Campus Trolley Station and the Gilman Transit Center were temporarily closed, with trains and buses diverted due to the police and protest activity.

 

Protesters at the encampment demanded the university sever all ties with Israel, displaying signs warning students and student organizations of potential consequences under the student code of conduct for participating in the encampment.

 

University Chancellor Pradeep Khosla issued a warning against unauthorized encampments, emphasizing the enforcement of campus policies and laws for the safety of all members of the university community.

 

In response, Students for Justice in Palestine at UC San Diego, organizers of the encampment, rejected the chancellor's statement, arguing for the safety and integrity maintained within the encampment.

 

Police, alongside the California Highway Patrol and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, peacefully dismantled the encampment around 6 a.m. on Monday, citing security concerns due to the prolonged nature of the event. There is no report yet on any arrests made.

 

UC San Diego joins a series of campuses across the country where similar encampments have been erected.

 

🚨UCSD‼️ Look at those anti-American , pro-Jihadis calling police “pigs” as they clear out the encampment at UC San Diego. pic.twitter.com/PqIA96hZA7

— Stella Escobedo (@StellaEscoTV) May 6, 2024