Far-left Gaza agitators storm and vandalize Cal State LA building, trap university president inside

Faculty members were ordered to shelter in place, which left employees trapped in their offices, per ABC7. The university president, Dr. Berencea Johnson Eanes, who allowed a Gaza encampment on campus, was trapped in her office after demonstrators moved to take over the building.

(Dr. Berencea Johnson Eanes, university president, photo courtesy: Cal State LA)

University spokesperson Erik Frost Hollins said that pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded the multistory student service building on Wednesday, and announced Thursday that the building is now "secure" and "clear of employees and protesters." Hollins did not elaborate on the incidents that unfolded overnight.

Video footage and photographs show that the group of protesters smashed up vehicles and flipped them over to use as barricades outside of the building in the plaza. They also overturned picnic tables and added umbrellas and other objects to the barricade.

Inside the building, protesters used furniture to block the doorways, per the AP. Several of them chained themselves outside the main entrance. The group flipped over vending machines, broke furniture and windows, and left large amounts of trash that filled hallway floors. Pro-Palestinian graffiti was also sprayed on windows.

According to Hollins, members of the CSULA Gaza Solidarity Encampment, who had been camped out near the campus gym for almost 40 days, sent an email announcing that they were planning a sit-in inside the building.

It's unclear how many people were involved in the direct action. Video footage posted on X shows campus police in riot gear clearing out the building. Police have not announced if any arrests were made.

The university canceled in-person classes on Thursday in response to the demonstration.