Photo Essay: May 6 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampment Clearing
People rally to protest the University’s call for riot police to tear down the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, while police block off the section of Library Walk that was adjacent to where the encampment had been set up.
Since May 1, The Triton’s staff had documented and reported on the Gaza Solidarity Encampment that was set up on undeveloped land alongside the northern end of Library Walk.
In a series of live updates, our staff reported peaceful protesting, community events, counter protest rallies, and the status of the University’s stance throughout the duration of this encampment. On the morning of May 6, riot police were called in to dismantle what would have been the sixth day of the encampment. From 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., our staff documented events following UC San Diego administration’s decision to call forth riot police on campus to clear the encampment.
People rally to protest the University’s call for riot police to tear down the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, while police block off the section of Library Walk that was adjacent to where the encampment had been set up. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonPolice and clean-up crew continue working to clean up the dismantled encampment. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonAs more people gather, barricades are called in to be placed between demonstrators and police. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonPolice stand behind the barricade, preparing to block anyone who may try to enter. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonOnce police backed away and demonstrators started to push through the barricades, an organizer called on demonstrators to keep the protest peaceful, and place the barricades back. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonPolice return to their stance behind the barricade, and demonstrators continue to peacefully protest. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonDemonstrators learn that arrestees from the encampment are being held in Price Center, and begin to rally around an entrance to the building with efforts to demand their release. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonWhile surrounding a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department bus that is believed to contain some of the arrestees, protestors interact with officers in efforts to learn more about the status of those arrested. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonOfficers gather to prepare for the departure of the first Sheriff’s Department bus. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonWhile the first police van leaves and protesters rally to another area of campus, Library Walk remains sectioned off. Credit: Tate McFadden / The TritonProtestors return to Price Center to call against further removal of arrestees from campus. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonMore and more protesters surround the last two police vans in efforts to keep it from leaving, resulting in further arrests, beatings, and pepper spraying by police. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonProtestors fled as police beat those blocking the buses with batons. Credit: Tate McFadden / The TritonThe vans break through the crowd, leaving some protestors to follow, while others stay behind to deal with the aftermath of being struck or pepper sprayed. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonLaw enforcement continues to block protesters. One Sheriff’s deputy carries a “less-lethal” shotgun in his hand. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonCredit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonCredit: Tate McFadden / The TritonWhile rallying continues towards an entrance of the Structural and Materials Engineering building, Taha Hassane, the Imam and Director Islamic Center of San Diego, continuously asks for police to put down their guns and release those who had been arrested.The on-campus protest ends outside Price Center as it is announced that demonstrators will be heading to Downtown San Diego and Santee for further protesting and jail support. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonDemonstrators arrive to rally outside of Central Jail in Downtown San Diego, where all male arrestees are being held. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonAs cars drive by, honking in support, demonstrators await status on arrestees and their release. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The Triton
After a press conference held outside of Central Jail ends, demonstrators rally together and march to Civic Center Plaza.
After a press conference held outside of Central Jail ends, demonstrators rally together and march to Civic Center Plaza.
After a press conference held outside of Central Jail ends, demonstrators rally together and march to Civic Center Plaza.
At the end of their march, protesters are given lunch before some return to Central Jail, and others move to Las Colinas Jail in Santee to gather while arrestees are slowly released. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonDemonstrators await the release of arrestees outside the Las Colinas Detention Center. Credit: Tate McFadden / The TritonDemonstrators chant “Allahu Akbar,” which is Arabic for “God is greater,” as groups of arrestees are released from Central Jail. Credit: Liam Winstead / The TritonBy 11 p.m. Library Walk is open, and workers begin placing barricades around the area that once held the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Credit: McKenzie Turner / The TritonAs of May 22, 2024, the metal barricades have been removed, but ropes still surround the “landscape area under renovation.” Credit: McKenzie Turner / The Triton
McKenzie Turner is the Social Media Manager for The Triton. Tate McFadden is the Arts and Culture Editor and Opinion Editor for The Triton. Liam Winstead is the Managing Editor for The Triton.
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