Protesters arrested in police raid on occupied Berkeley building

UC Berkeley

CHP officers began setting up barricades shortly after 6 p.m

Protesters arrested in police raid on occupied Berkeley building — Police on Thursday searched a UC Berkeley building that had been occupied by protesters a day earlier. *Emilie Raguso/The Berkeley Scanner*

Officers from the California Highway Patrol, UCPD and other area police agencies just searched a UC Berkeley property occupied by protesters on Wednesday.

CHP officers began setting up barricades just after 6 p.m. Thursday.

Police repeatedly ordered everyone in the area to disperse and said anyone who did not leave the area would face arrests, tear gas and other types of violence.

At around 7:10 p.m., a UC Berkeley spokesman said an estimated 12 people had been arrested.

As of 7:50 p.m., a group of protesters continued to loudly chant for Palestine directly in front of the police barricade west of the occupied building.

Photographs by Emilie Raguso/The Berkeley Scanner.

The story develops.

Many CHP officers walking right in front of the UC Berkeley protest house. The officers wear gas masks and a drone is in operation above them. There are UCPD police here too, but fewer. pic.twitter.com/C0ztE5uHvv

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

A huge rental truck with metal barriers has just arrived at the UC Berkeley protest house. Things are definitely getting hot here, well over 100 police officers are on site and more are coming. They keep pushing the media back. pic.twitter.com/jWjkm1XQAX

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

It seems like the police just broke down the door of the UC Berkeley protest house. Sounds like there are a lot of sirens going off in the area and heading that way. pic.twitter.com/uu1ilqgNH5

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

Another evacuation order was just issued, with police telling people to move west and disperse within 15 minutes. More officers with batons and less-lethal launchers have just moved into the courtyard of the UC Berkeley protest house. “Free Palestine” chants are increasing. “We are all Palestinians.” pic.twitter.com/9RkSEMa1DQ

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

Great interest and concern about what is happening inside the barricades of the UC Berkeley building, which was occupied by protesters on Wednesday. Workers quickly removed wooden pallets, tents and more. National Lawyers Guild observers also on site. pic.twitter.com/oATu4jkcII

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

Current scene at the UC Berkeley protest house on Channing Way. A group of protesters confront police on the east side of the barrier. pic.twitter.com/aRNuBYspSB

— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) May 17, 2024

Check back for updates.