The Palestine Solidarity Encampment was an occupation protest held by pro-Palestinian radical students at the University of California, Los Angeles from 25 April to 2 May 2024. The encampment was attacked multiple times by pro-Israel counter-protesters before it was dismantled in a police raid on 2 May 2024.
After left-wing student activists began the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" occupation protest at New York City's Columbia University on 17 April, nationwide protests broke out as progressive and pro-Palestinian student activists occupied college campuses and pressured their universities to sever ties with any business perceived to support Israel. On 25 April 2024, left-wing students and faculty at UCLA set up the "Palestine Solidarity Encampment" and released a list of demands, including UCLA's divestment from companies that profited off the Israel-Hamas War, a disclosure of where the University of California system was investing tuition money, for the UC to cut ties with city police departments who policed student activism, an end to academic collaboration with institutions that collaborated with Israel, and an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Protestors set up wooden barricades and signs accusing the university of having blood on its hands. In response, members of pro-Israel groups like the Israeli-American Council and the United Jewish Coalition surrounded the encampment to counter-protest, and minor skirmishes between protesters were reported.
From 26 to 27 April, the university allowed the protests to continue, and several Israeli and Jewish students reported harassment. On 28 April, the university created a physical barrier to separate dueling protesters, but demonstrators broke through the barrier that same day, leading to a confrontation. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with both police and counter-protesters. On 29 April, the faculty organized a walkout in solidarity with the protesters, while pro-Palestinian protesters set up metal barricades and appointed guards to block access to counter-protesters and media. After 60 counter-protesters tried to breach the encampment, heavy clashes broke out, and counter-protesters released mice into the encampment. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on UCLA administration to investigate the attack as a hate crime. On 30 April, UCLA increased the security presence on campus, removed the encampment's barriers, and threatened to discipline students involved in the occupation. That same day, pro-Israel protester Elinor Hess was injured when protesters kicked her and pulled her hair as she attempted to pick up her flag.
On 1 May, pro-Israel groups, including protesters wielding sticks and poles, once again attacked the solidarity encampment. The counter-protesters called for a "Second Nakba", and 15 people were injured. The LAPD and security team neglected to protect the occupiers, and the LAPD intervened after nearly four. That evening, LAPD officers in riot gear were sent in to disperse the encampment. The 200 remaining occupiers were dispersed by LAPD and California Highway Patrol personnel at 2:30 AM, with the police using stun grenades and rubber bullets before tearing down the camp's walls. By morning, the camp was clear.