Police wearing riot gear move in on pro-Palestinian encampment on Cal State LA campus

Dozens of police clad in riot gear moved in on the pro-Palestinian protester encampment at California State University, Los Angeles on Monday. 

The officers, with California Highway Patrol and the CSU system, moved in at around 2 p.m. to the large area that had been erected by hundreds of protesters last month near the Student Services building on campus. School President Berenecea Johnson Eanes said that as long as the demonstrations remained peaceful, they were allowed to remain on campus. 

Protests last week escalated, however, when the group stormed the building and forced several campus officials to shelter inside of their offices. 

When they arrived they found that most of the protesters had already gone from the area, leaving behind the large encampment that was littered with deflated tents and debris from the days-long gathering. 

There were seven people at the encampment that voluntarily followed a dispersal order issued at 1:15 p.m., according to campus spokesperson Erik Frost Hollins.

Palestinian flags, large pieces of plywood with anti-police terminology and messages of support for those in Gaza could be seen surrounding the encampment as SkyCal flew overhead on Monday. 

The wall of the building and the sidewalk surrounding the encampment were covered in graffiti that bore similar messages. A statue of renowned tennis icon and former CSULA student Billie Jean King was covered in pictures and items that has been placed around its base. 

Several small vehicles that appeared to be compact wheel loaders could be seen heading through campus with large dumpsters in tow for dismantling efforts. Officers surrounded the area while cleanup was underway. 

This is a developing story. Check back for details.