After hundreds of anti-Israel protesters invaded campus buildings and set up barricades at the University of California, Irvine, local law enforcement agencies responded and students were ordered to “shelter in place” on Wednesday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a UC Irvine spokesperson said the campus erupted into chaos after several hundred protesters entered the Physical Sciences lecture hall on the California campus and began blocking the building at 2:30 pm PST.
The university said they called local authorities and received immediate assistance from the Irvine Police Department and the Organge County Sheriff's Department.
Images from the campus showed law enforcement officers, dressed in protest clothing and wielding semi-automatic rifles, clashing with anti-Israel agitators.
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Law enforcement confronts anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday, May 15. (FoxNews)
Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday.
Protesters were seen holding umbrellas and chanting “Free, free Palestine.”
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” they were heard chanting. “Long live Palestine.”
Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday. Protesters continue to invade college campuses across the United States in protest of the Jewish state's war against Hamas. (FoxNews)
Authorities said the protesters who entered the campus Wednesday afternoon joined the established encampment that had been occupying the campus since April 29.
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Law enforcement officers were seen tearing down tents at the University of California on Wednesday, May 15. (FoxNews)
Law enforcement from multiple agencies responded to UC Irvine after hundreds of protesters invaded the California campus. (FoxNews)
In a postUC Irvine told students to “shelter in place” as police descended on campus.
“The protest has increased near the physical sciences quad. Please avoid the area,” the social media post said. “If you are in the area, please shelter in place for your safety until further notice.”
Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday. Protesters continue to invade college campuses across the United States in protest of the Jewish state's war against Hamas.
UC Irvine said classes were canceled for the rest of the day and they are monitoring the situation.
Hundreds of protesters entered the Physical Sciences lecture hall on the California campus and began blocking the building at 2:30 pm PST. (FoxNews)
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“We continue to monitor the situation and strongly urge people to stay away from campus,” the school said.
