UCLA spent over $10M handling campus protests, UC system spent $30M

A preliminary estimate found that nearly $30 million was spent at University of California campuses this spring in connection with protests over the war in Gaza.

UCLA topped the list, spending $10 million on security and  another $400,000 for cleanup.

The Los Angeles Times reports that law enforcement, private security, and other security measures accounted for 90% of the expenses. Other costs included fixing broken windows, removing graffiti from campus buildings, and getting rid of trash and rodents.

It isn’t clear yet whether the university’s insurance will cover any or all of the costs.

On the night of April 30, a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA was attacked by violent counter-demonstrators while law enforcement and campus security stood by. In response, UCLA officials declared the encampment an unlawful gathering and arrested over 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators the following night.

Following outrage from all sides about the response to the protests, UCLA reassigned its campus police chief, ramped up security , and created a new Office of Campus Safety .

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According to the L.A. Times, students gathered outside the UC Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, expressing outrage that the university spent so much on policing instead of investing in students. Ryan Manriquez, president of the UC Graduate and Professional Council, also expressed dismay at “the militarization of our campuses.”

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