LOS ANGELES — A group of students and community members from UCLA has filed a lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging the officers used excessive force during a pro-Palestine encampment last spring. The legal action, revealed in court documents, accuses law enforcement of launching a violent operation to dismantle the encampment on May 1 and 2.
The complaint asserts that hundreds of officers clad in riot gear engaged in a coordinated effort to clear the encampment, reportedly using batons and rubber bullets on individuals present. Among the plaintiffs are Abdullah Puckett, a PhD candidate at UCLA, and David Ramirez, an architectural designer. They both claim to have experienced unlawful force, with additional accounts from Kira Layton and Juliana Islam Hawari-Vogenpoohl, who also say they were injured during the incident.
Court documents include photographs depicting the injuries sustained by the plaintiffs, who describe their experiences as causing long-lasting physical pain and psychological distress. “We felt unsafe and were met with violence when all we wanted was to express our views peacefully,” one plaintiff remarked.
Representatives from the California Highway Patrol did not respond to requests for comment, while an LAPD spokesperson stated the department refrains from discussing ongoing litigation. Wade Stern, president of the Federated University Peace Officers Association, defended law enforcement’s actions as necessary and lawful, dismissing the claims in the lawsuit as unfounded. He stated that the operation addressed an escalating situation that threatened campus safety.
Stern emphasized that the officers followed proper procedures when dealing with the unfolding chaos, contending that warnings were issued before force was used. “The encampment created a volatile atmosphere, and it was imperative that we act to ensure the safety of all students and faculty,” he said.
The encampment in question was established in April 2023 in front of Royce Hall as part of protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. According to the lawsuit, the participants represented a diverse community of individuals, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, and others, unified in their stance against perceived injustices.
The events at UCLA coincided with broader pro-Palestinian protests occurring at various institutions across the country, particularly in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict that escalated in October 2023. The UCLA encampment emerged as one of the most prominent demonstrations on a U.S. campus regarding this issue.
The situation at UCLA became increasingly tense as counter-protesters clashed with members of the encampment, culminating in significant violence. Law enforcement’s response included the deployment of hundreds of officers and resulted in the arrest of 209 individuals.
The fallout from these events has sparked a congressional inquiry into the university’s handling of antisemitism, alongside lawsuits alleging the institution did not adequately protect Jewish students. Concurrently, protesters have voiced concerns regarding the use of excessive force by police and their interference with free speech.
The lawsuit highlights a growing divide over the issue of free expression and safety on college campuses, reflecting the broader societal tensions related to the conflict in the Middle East.