There was a protest on campus today that got violent... Apparently the violence was started by a group wearing black masks/bandannas? But later it was widespread. I stayed at work until 6 because I overslept this morning. I got dinner at the library cafe. As I was about to enter I heard an explosion, likely a firework at the protest. I didn’t think too much about it until I overheard someone say that campus buildings were on lockdown (false). Then I panicked slightly thinking it was a shooter but was quickly assuaged when that same person said there was a fire in Sproul Plaza. Shooters don’t set fires. I didn’t even connect it with the protest until I got a text from the police saying as much. I stayed in the library until 8, at which time the police were about to start forcibly breaking up the crowd. I decided that would be the best time to leave, as the crowd would need to make a decision whether to stay or go and wouldn’t be as agitated. I gave Sproul Plaza a wide berth as I walked through campus. Overhead the police flew in circles in planes, one flying low and telling protesters over a loudspeaker they had 15 minutes to leave. I passed by some people with signs.
I got home safe, and over the course of the night learned the protesters had marched downtown and had begun looting business. They then moved back to campus but were quickly stopped by police. Everything was over by 10:30.
All in all, pretty scary! And confusing as to who exactly started it. Apparently at the end the ratio of students to non-students was 50/50? It would make sense if it wasn’t students who started it, as the building with the most damage was the student center.
