Violence at UCLA as Gaza protest camp attacked by counter-demonstrators | First Thing

Dozens of anti-war protesters also arrested in New York after Columbia also calls in police. Plus, Trump fined by trial judge over gag order breaches

Good morning.

Violent clashes have broken out between rival protest groups at the University of California, Los Angeles after pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment.

What UCLA has said: Vice-chancellor Mary Osako said the “horrific acts of violence” must end, without elaborating on who was responsible.

What Columbia has said: A statement said the NYPD had been called in because of “the actions of the protesters”, saying they “vandalized” a building and “threatened” a staff member. Columbia added that the police were called because the university would “not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation”. The move was interpreted as an escalation by protesters and many faculty members.

What protesters said: Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said on X it was a “dark day in history” and that police were “brutalizing dozens of students for protesting genocide”.

This is a developing story. Follow our live coverage here.