- At around midnight Wednesday morning, violence broke out at a pro-Palestine encampment on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Los Angeles Times
- Counter-demonstrators reportedly attacked the encampment with fireworks, wood, and metal barriers, while those inside the encampment countered with planks of wood and pepper spray. Los Angeles Times
- At the request of the university, police arrived at the campus at around 1:50 a.m. (local time) and began breaking up the encampment barricades by about 3:30 a.m. New York Times (LR: 2 CP: 5)
- UCLA canceled classes Wednesday and has maintained a police presence. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
- Also on Tuesday night, NYC police arrested 119 protesters who had barricaded Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, as well as 173 protesters at City College of New York (CUNY). Police then cleaned up Columbia's encampment on the main lawn by 4 a.m. (local time). wsj.com
- Columbia has asked police to remain on campus until May 17, with the department estimating it will keep 15-20 officers on campus. wsj.com
- This comes as US Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced a bill called the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would require the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. NBC (LR: 2 CP: 4)
Progressive narrative:
- These protesters have a First Amendment right to have their opinions heard and to be protected from violence. That vigilantes — espousing pro-Israel and "back the blue" chants — were able to stage an attack on UCLA's campus while police waited hours to respond, is a sign that protesters on every campus may not be safe — a clear violation of what it means to be American. Student protestors supporting anti-war, pro-Palestinan points of view must be heard.
THE DAILY BEAST
Conservative narrative:
- Cultural Marxism has invaded college campuses across the country through the faculty and administration, and these protesters' minds have been infected. Much of this worldview is being expressed in antisemitic, anti-Israel words and actions that are putting Jewish students in danger. It's a shame that it's come to this, but many of these protesters must be arrested and prosecuted.
BREITBART (LR: 5 CP: 3)
Narrative C:
- The media is ignoring the majority of students who are not involved in these protests and hold diverse perspectives on the matter. Many students believe their peers should be allowed to protest peacefully, but also agree that a line should be drawn at violent riots. The college experience should absolutely include political protests, as long as they remain peaceful.
BARRONS.COM
Nerd narrative:
- There's a 70% chance that Israel's arrangement will have de facto power in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)