A sense of anticipation hangs over the UCLA campus as protesters simmer down, their pro-Palestinian chants becoming less frequent. Hundreds have fortified themselves within the encampment, met with police warnings of arrest if they refuse to leave.
For hours, a dense police presence has loomed, some units facing the encampment, others directed towards the streets. Overhead, helicopters buzz persistently. Meanwhile, surrounding streets echo with the voices of protesters brandishing flags and signs against the ongoing conflict.
Both the LAPD and local hospitals stand on high alert, their readiness indicating the seriousness of the situation. The possibility of police action to clear the encampment tonight looms, casting an eerie stillness over the quad.
This is our live coverage of the escalating protests across US campuses, notably UCLA, where over 1,000 demonstrators are under orders to disband. As riot police encroach upon the protest site, tension mounts on the ground.
Earlier clashes between pro-Palestinian and counter-protest groups resulted in at least 15 injuries, as reported by our partner CBS News. We’ll continue to provide live updates with our on-site team, so stay tuned for the latest developments.