WESTWOOD (CNS) - Four people were arrested Tuesday after a protest held by Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA blocked access to Bruin Walk, it was reported Wednesday.
According to the UCLA Police Department, the arrests occurred Tuesday evening after about 75 people formed a human chain by linking their arms together.
"These actions blocked pedestrian access on Bruin Walk," UCLA police said in a statement Wednesday morning. "Our officers responded to ensure people could use Bruin Walk, the main pedestrian thoroughfare on campus. Three suspects were identified and later arrested for physically blocking people who attempted to pass on Bruin Walk. A fourth suspect, who tried to interfere with one of the arrests, was also taken into custody.
"We respect and value everyone's right to express their First Amendment freedoms, provided it's done safely and without adversely affecting others who are trying to travel throughout our campus," the police statement continued. "The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the UCLA Police Department."
According to the Daily Bruin, around 150 people had gathered in Bruin Plaza to protest with Students for Justice in Palestine.
In a Sunday Instagram post, SJP called for people to come to Bruin Plaza as part of a nationwide student strike and march in opposition of what it called a genocide, according to the Daily Bruin. The newspaper reported that the post also reiterated the group's demands, which call on the UC and the UCLA Foundation to divest from organizations with ties to the Israeli military, and urged academic boycotts of Israeli universities.