UCLA Students Occupy Bruin Plaza

WESTWOOD (CBS) — UCLA students created an encampment in Bruin plaza Monday evening. They say they will occupy the area throughout the night in protest of tuition hikes, as well as recent police force against demonstrators on other UC and Cal State campuses.

Students began to set up tents in the plaza around 6 p.m.

Approximately 50 to 60 protesters gathered in the plaza and erected tents for what they say they hope will be a peaceful protest without incident.

Student  Kyle Arnone says the group plans to stay in the plaza until they are removed by the university or  police.

"I was arrested two weeks ago," says Arnone. "So I'm not sure I want to risk it again. We have a legal team that's ready to take care of people if that does happen."

University officials would not comment on camera, but told KCAL 9's Rita Garcia they are trying to respect students' first amendment rights and are placing a priority on safety.

"We're in solidarity with our brothers and sisters," says UCLA student Sayal Camacho. "We don't support the violence that's been happening, the abuse from the cops being endorsed by the regents and the chancellors."

Hundreds of protesters gathered earlier Monday on the campus of UC Davis to rally against police use of pepper spray during a demonstration there last week against tuition hikes. The demonstrators Friday were pepper sprayed point-blank while seated with locked arms.

The UC Davis faculty association has called for the resignation of Chancellor Linda Katehi. She has refused to step down, but has apologized for the action of police.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

Cal State Long Beach police also came under fire last week for use of force on campus against protesters who demonstrated against a nine percent tuition hike. Pepper spray was used in that incident as well.