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Amidst the chaos of a Thursday morning on the University of California campus in Los Angeles, students were evicted from Royce Hall, leaving behind debris and graffiti. The central courtyard, usually brimming with undergraduates, graduate students, and professors, was now inaccessible to most. As hovering helicopters from news and security agencies flew overhead, their blades slicing through the air above the university grounds.
The day brought detentions and cancellations as classes were conducted remotely until Monday. Security personnel maintained strict control over the area, preventing anyone from getting too close to the scene. The grounds were littered with remnants of the camp that had occupied the area for nearly a week, prompting administrative personnel to begin the cleanup process.
However, amidst all this turmoil, volunteers mobilized to salvage usable items from the camp such as clothes, blankets, and mats. These volunteers included students, service staff and faculty members who contributed to the recovery effort while also taking advantage of rare activity on campus. Runners and photographers took advantage of the deserted campus too.
Two postdoctoral researchers reflected on these events while staying away from the chaos: Paloma Casteleiro who pondered on protests dynamics in US despite university’s efforts to maintain peace; Javier Gonzalez Vaz expressed bewilderment at situation having come to UCLA for research purposes but refraining from participating in protests due to potential consequences on his visa and future opportunities.
These events highlight complex interplay between academic life, activism and international politics as students work together to restore normalcy while navigating aftermath of tumultuous day.
