Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment on UCLA campus, tents remain Friday

A pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus that went up Thursday morning, has grown in size Friday to about 50 tents as Israeli supporters have joined the demonstrations.

The pro-Palestinian groups and Israeli supporters at UCLA are part of a growing display of tensions among college students and groups in Los Angeles and nationwide, with demonstrations expected to continue Friday. 

As SkyCAL flew over the scene Thursday, tents were going up, along with several large signs, including one that reads "UCLA Says Free Palestine." 

"It's not great to see for me," said Matthew Feldman, a UCLA student. "I feel like a lot of people participating don't fully understand the conflict. A lot of people think that they're being progressive but a lot of the actors they're supporting tend to be pretty antisemitic."  

The encampment comes one day after a mass protest happened on the campus of USC where over 90 people were arrested.

RELATED: USC closes campus as LAPD arrests at least 93 pro-Palestinian protesters

The Los Angeles Police Department reported detaining 93 people who refused to leave the park after multiple dispersal orders were arrested peacefully.

"Our top priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our entire Bruin community," Mary Osako, vice chancellor of UCLA Strategic Communications, said in a statement Thursday morning. "We're actively monitoring this situation to support a peaceful campus environment that respects our community's right to free expression while minimizing disruption to our teaching and learning mission."

Wednesday's protest came as USC made national headlines over its decision not to allow pro-Palestinian valedictorian Asna Tabassum to speak during the May 10 commencement ceremony.  

The university said its decision was made due to security concerns.

"The university's leadership made this decision in close consultation with our Department of Public Safety and threat team," USC said in a statement. "The decision had nothing to do with the background or viewpoint of the valedictorian but was instead based on a careful and holistic review of the situation from a safety and security standpoint."  

RELATED: USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech, citing security concerns

USC's campus remains closed on Thursday, April 25. It will only be open to students and facility members.