Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News / Getty Images
IRVINE (CNS) - A pro-Palestine encampment was established at UC Irvine Monday, adding to the list of college campuses nationwide experiencing such actions, and Irvine's mayor warned the university against any law enforcement action to break up the gathering.
By early afternoon, however, a showing of law enforcement including the Orange County Sheriff's Department began gathering in a university parking lot near the protesters' occupation area.
The law enforcement presence prompted Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan to issue a statement defending the right to peacefully protest at colleges and universities.
"I am asking our law enforcement to stand down," Khan said. "I will not tolerate any violations to our students' rights to peacefully assemble and protest."
There were no immediate reports of any disturbances or arrests connected with the protest as of Monday afternoon.