About 30 Occupy UCLA protesters huddled around nine tents and a chalkboard in Wilson Plaza throughout Thursday afternoon as part of a nationwide day of action to push for higher education and social services.
Supporters held teach-outs and discussions throughout the afternoon and into the evening about various topics such as declining funding for the UC, the UC’s spending practices and students’ rights to assemble.
“Today we’re fighting (against) the privatization of the university,” said KT Bender, a first-year graduate student in geography.
The university should prioritize students over all other interests, she added.
UCLA officials were standing nearby to monitor the situation.
“We need to be careful to balance respecting (students’) rights of expression and policies on campus (that) allow for normal campus activities to continue,” said UCLA spokesman Steve Ritea.
[Updated at 9:15 p.m.]
During the evening, protestors and supporters participated in a discussion about free schools and the principles of education, said Zubeda Dhada, a third-year psychology student and active participant in Occupy UCLA.
All nine tents remained standing as of 9 p.m. Thursday.
[Updated at 12:10 a.m.]
Two tents were pitched and about six Occupy UCLA protesters are present. UCPD officers came by periodically, observed the camp from a distance, and left.
Compiled by Naheed Rajwani and Jillian Beck, Bruin senior staff.