Los Angeles, California — A lawsuit has been filed against the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by a coalition of UCLA students and local residents. The plaintiffs accuse law enforcement of a violent assault on participants of a pro-Palestine rally at the university last spring.
The legal action arises from events on May 1 and 2, 2023, when a significant number of officers clad in riot gear reportedly entered the UCLA campus to dismantle the Palestine Solidarity Encampment. Eyewitnesses claim that law enforcement forcefully tore down makeshift structures and used batons and “less-lethal” rubber bullets indiscriminately against individuals within the encampment.
Plaintiffs include Abdullah Puckett, a PhD candidate, and David Ramirez, an architectural designer, who allege they were subjected to unwarranted force and struck with rubber projectiles during the confrontation. Other plaintiffs, Kira Layton, an undergraduate art student, and Juliana Islam Hawari-Vogenpoohl, an aspiring teacher, presented similar claims of being harmed amid the chaos.
Photographic evidence included in the 28-page complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court depicts the plaintiffs with visible injuries to their heads and bodies. They assert that the excessive force inflicted significant physical and emotional trauma, leaving them to cope with lasting distress.
In response to inquiries, a representative from the LAPD indicated the department refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation, while inquiries sent to CHP went unanswered.
The encampment, launched in front of Royce Hall, aimed to draw attention to issues surrounding the conflict in Gaza as well as the university’s financial ties to Israel. Protesters described the encampment as a diverse coalition comprising various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, and atheists.
UCLA and nearby USC witnessed a wave of pro-Palestinian activism last year, stemming from the broader context of the Israel-Hamas war triggered by violent incidents in October 2023. The UCLA encampment became one of the largest student-led protests of its kind across the nation.
The encampment, which gained prominence in mid-April, faced counter-protests that escalated into confrontations. Ultimately, the police forcefully dismantled the protest site, resulting in over 200 arrests.
Following these events, there was a congressional inquiry into how the university managed the conflicts and allegations of antisemitism, leading to lawsuits claiming the administration failed to protect Jewish students. Protesters have also raised concerns regarding police conduct, highlighting accusations of excessive force and violations of free speech rights during the police response.