From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 14, 2024
Cal State LA president decries vandalism, assaults after protesters trash building
The campus president of California State University, Los Angeles says three employees and a student were assaulted during the takeover of an administration building by pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday, who left behind significant damage.
“I am saddened, and I am angry,” says Berenecea Johnson Eanes in a statement to the school community. “Campus community: Know that we will recover from this, but also know that I am committed to doing everything we can to ensure this will never be allowed to repeat. I cannot and would not protect anyone who is directly identified as having participated in last night’s illegal activities from being held accountable.”
Eanes said she has engaged with protesters who have occupied the campus encampment for some 40 days.
“So long as the encampment remained non-violent, I was committed that the university would continue to talk,” the president wrote. But in the wake of destruction and theft that occurred Wednesday, a line was crossed and “those in the encampment must leave.”
No arrests or injuries were reported in the takeover, which ended early Thursday.
After a takeover of a Cal State L.A. building by pro-Palestinian activists, who smashed windows, trashed offices and left graffiti, we're getting a first look at the damage. Why were they allowed to loot the building for hours? This morning at 6 from ABC7 https://t.co/PZa2qKHM55 pic.twitter.com/yQ59veU8PP
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 13, 2024
Images from the scene showed graffiti on the building, furniture blocking doorways and overturned golf carts, picnic tables and umbrellas barricading the plaza out front.
Eanes said the vandalism would affect “admissions, records, accessible technology, basic needs, new student and family engagement, Dreamer resources, and educational opportunity programs. It will take time to restore all those spaces and divert significant resources that would otherwise go to academics, student services, or operations.”
The university has announced that all main campus classes and operations will be remote until further notice.
