UCLA protesters had heavy tools, planned to take over building, campus police say

Dozens of people arrested on the UCLA campus on Monday, May 6 had among them bolt-cutters, super glue, padlocks, heavy-duty chains and metal pipes, along with printed materials “encouraging vandalism and violence,” UCLA police said this week.

The university had planned to return to in-person classes following two days of remote learning prompted by the encampment activity last week.

But early Monday morning, police arrested more than 40 people in a campus parking garage, and UCLA Police said they were carrying materials indicating they were prepared to break into and possibly barricade themselves inside a building.

The details were included in a UCLA police statement indicating the group also carried such materials such as “The Do-It-Yourself Occupation Guide.”

The 44 people who were arrested “included 35 UCLA students and nine people not affiliated with the school. Forty-two of them were arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime and two for obstructing a peace officer,” ABC7 reported.

Four members of the group had also been previously arrested for failing to disperse when authorities cleared the encampments on May 2, the TV report said.

The police statement did not indicate what cause the group was supporting. Police say the group had formed a plan to break into and occupy Moore Hall.

“Due to ongoing disruption, the campus has returned to limited operational status,” the school announced in a BruinAlert. “Therefore, per Senate guidance, classes will move remote May 6-10. Employees who can work remotely should consult with their supervisors. Events and research activities should also go remote or be rescheduled wherever possible.”

City News Service contributed to this report.