Crime & Safety

Several Injured In Berkeley Palestinian Encampment Violence

A scuffle broke out between opposing sides of the issue.

Student encampment protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the steps of UC Berkeley’s Sproul Hall. April 23, 2024
Student encampment protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the steps of UC Berkeley’s Sproul Hall. April 23, 2024 (Ruth Dusseault / Bay City News Service)

BERKELEY, CA — Violence broke out Wednesday evening at an encampment at Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus after days of peaceful assembly in response to the Israel-Hamas war, a contrast to arrests and turmoil at other American schools.

According to UC Berkeley police, just before 7 p.m., a tussle occurred between two opposing groups and one group attempted to take a flag of the other, resulting in injuries to at least two people. Medical personnel were called to the scene.

UC police also said additional injuries have been reported.

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The Berkeley student camp-in was called by a coalition of groups, including the Black Student Union, the Jewish Voice for Peace at UC Berkeley and the Indigenous Graduate Student Association.

In an online statement, they are demanding: "an immediate end to the Zionist colonization of Arab lands, including the genocidal siege of Gaza; full freedom and equality for Palestinians, from the river to the sea; and the right of return for Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties."

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They are also asking UC to boycott, divest and sanction "from all companies profiting from the colonization of Palestine."


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