Campus police at the University of California–Irvine arrested an individual for exhibiting erratic behavior and engaging in an altercation with members of a pro-Palestine encampment, according to officials.
The person, whose age and gender were not disclosed, was taken into custody on May 10 for suspected illegal camping and was subsequently removed from the campus, as stated in a university announcement.
The UC Irvine statement clarified that the individual was not affiliated with any student protesters or other non-affiliates participating in the encampment and had joined an unauthorized encampment on campus grounds.
“The individual displayed erratic behavior, including a physical altercation with members of the encampment, posing a danger to those within the encampment and the general campus community. The arrest took place outside of the unauthorized encampment,” the statement explained.
Prior to the arrest, the Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response team, specializing in responding to mental health-related calls, had been sent to the site. However, the individual declined assistance from the Be Well OC team, as noted in the statement.
The university reiterated its call for a peaceful and prompt resolution to the encampment, emphasizing the need for a peaceful conclusion.
Earlier in the week, school officials mentioned that the encampment near Rowland Hall remained peaceful, but concerns were raised by students regarding discrimination, harassment, disruptive protesting, interference with teaching and test-taking, vandalism reports, and widespread painting of messages on university property.