Anti-Israel protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles, made a bizarre list of requested donations, indicating that they were preparing for battle. The Students for Justice in Palestine asked for skater helmets, shields, wood for barriers, elbow and knee pads, medical supplies, food, and sleeping bags. They vowed to remain at the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment until their demands were met and requested defensive materials such as headlamps, airsoft goggles, gas masks, and flashlights with strobe.
In addition to defensive gear, the group also asked for utility gloves of various sizes, rope, zip-ties, generators, Epi-Pens, inhalers, lotion, and Aquaphor. A separate spreadsheet for food donations came with a warning that several items were not permitted, including packaged food, coffee, bagels, bananas, and nuts. Sunscreen was also banned, and only vegan and gluten-free items were accepted, along with a specific request for hot food for lunch.
The donation list was published on the group’s Instagram page, where they compared their members to Palestinians in the Gaza war following a violent clash on campus. The protesters claimed they experienced a life-threatening assault when counter-protesters tried to clear the camp overnight, resulting in a chaotic brawl that required LAPD intervention. The group alleged that their aggressors were armed with pepper spray, gas canisters, and bricks, explaining their request for shields and gas masks.
As a result of the violence, UCLA canceled classes and shut down Royce Hall and the surrounding area for the rest of the week. The university stated that law enforcement presence was stationed throughout campus to promote safety and that essential staff would be available to support students impacted by the incident. The situation at UCLA highlighted the tensions around the Israel-Palestine conflict and the intensity of the protests on campus.