The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called on University of California (UC) President Michael V. Drake to ensure the investigation into the recent violent attacks by pro-Israel extremists against peaceful anti-genocide student protesters at UCLA holds the perpetrators accountable and addresses the violations of students’ civil rights.
SEE: Statement on UCLA organizational change by UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President Drake released an official statement on Sunday, May 5, announcing an independent investigation into last week’s attacks which injured dozens of students at UCLA’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment. The assailants shot fireworks at the student protesters, attacked them with chemical weapons, engaged in psychological warfare, and attempted to tear down the encampment.
As of May 8, CAIR-LA has received 32 intakes from individuals who were injured by aggressors during the attack on the encampment.
In his statement, President Drake said:
“In the days ahead, I will be announcing details about the independent external review of what happened last week at UCLA. It is critical that the questions that I and many others have are answered by a respected and impartial investigator.
“I urge the UC community and any visitors to our campuses to treat each other with dignity and respect, and to maintain a civil and safe environment for all—even when protesting contentious issues and in highly emotional situations.”
Concerns have also been raised about the excessive use of force by law enforcement against peaceful protesters. The day after UCLA students were attacked by pro-Israel aggressors, police entered the encampment, wearing body armor, and armed with guns shooting rubber bullets, and dismantled the camp. Nearly 200 students were arrested and several reported to CAIR that they had been injured.
CAIR-LA previously called on California and national political leaders to condemn the brutal attacks and for an investigation into the lack of protection from police and UCLA administration for the pro-Palestinian student protesters.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“While we welcome the independent investigation into the violent assault by a pro-Israel mob on students peacefully protesting at the UCLA encampment, we also call on UC President Drake to ensure that there is full accountability for those responsible for committing the brutal attacks and for the violation of students’ free speech rights.
“We are also deeply concerned about the excessive use of force by law enforcement against peaceful protesters across the UC system. All students should feel safe while expressing their views and engaging in their right to assemble, and colleges and universities have the obligation to protect their students from harassment and physical attacks.
“UCLA and its campus police’s lack of response to the pro-Israel mobs’ violent assault on peaceful protesters demonstrates the double standard in how students peacefully protesting Israeli apartheid and genocide are treated by their school’s administration and by law enforcement.”
CAIR-LA calls on UC President Drake to take measures regarding the investigation to ensure that:
- The pro-Israel extremists responsible for the violent attacks against peaceful student protesters on UCLA’s campus are held fully accountable.
- The violation of students’ free speech rights on campus is addressed.
- UC schools take immediate action to protect all students from extremist violence and excessive force from law enforcement.
- Students who participated in the student encampments do not face any academic disciplinary action from their schools.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT : CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Madi Morse-Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com