Protests persist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the top public universities in the United States, demanding a ceasefire in Gaze and divestment from companies linked to Israel.

Protesters have gathered and built a protest encampment outside the Royce Hall in support of Palestinians since last Thursday.

The UCLA rally came one day after a pro-Palestinian protest over the Israel-Hamas war was staged at the Los Angeles campus of University of Southern California (USC), where 93 protesters were arrested Wednesday night by the Los Angeles Police Department after hours of clashing with the police.

Sunday even witnessed a brief skirmish between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA. Both sides had remained peaceful until Sunday as the size of the encampment expanded in recent days and counter-protesters have become increasingly vocal and visible on the campus.

The clash led to a larger police presence on the campus. Barriers have been set up by campus security to create a buffer between the encampment and the rest of the university community.

Some said that the encampment and barriers are now starting to disrupt their daily lives.

Organizers of the "UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment" said in a statement that "we will not be silent while Gaza is being annihilated."

"You know, if it does disrupt UCLA, that's kind of the goal, because we are trying to get UCLA to sit down at the bargaining table and talk about divestment," said Kaia Shah, the encampment spokesperson.

The protests have received growing support not just from students but also employees at the university.

"I support the people who are against the genocide in Palestine. And I think we should stop! A ceasefire should come into effect and stop killing people," said a staff member.

SHOTLIST:

Los Angeles, California, USA - April 29, 2024
1. Various of barriers set up by campus security, students;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kaia Shah, encampment spokesperson:
"You know, if it does disrupt UCLA, that's kind of the goal, because we are trying to get UCLA to sit down at the bargaining table and talk about divestment.";
3. Various of protesters, protest sign;
4. SOUNDBITE (English) staff member, University of California, Los Angeles (name not given) (starting with shot 3):
"I support the people who are against the genocide in Palestine. And I think we should stop! A ceasefire should come into effect and stop killing people.";
5. Royce Hall on UCLA campus, protest sign;
6. Protesters holding protest sign;

Los Angeles, California, USA - April 27, 2024
7. Various of protest encampment, protesters, placards with messages supporting Palestine, protest signs.

[RESTRICTIONS: No access Chinese mainland]