Reflections on Turmoil: Daily Bruin Editor-in-Chief Responds to UCLA Protests and Police Raid

After a tumultuous week at UCLA, where over 200 protestors were arrested during a police raid to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment, Isabelle Friedman, the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Bruin, the university’s independent student-run newspaper, reflected on the events.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Friedman expressed her heightened pride in being a student journalist and a member of Daily Bruin. She highlighted the dedication of over 50 staffers who contributed to covering the protests, attacks on the encampment, and the subsequent police raid.

Friedman noted that some reporters were subjected to gas, assault, and threats of arrest during the coverage. Despite assurances of safety from the vice chancellor, they were eventually forced to vacate a building near the encampment, which the police later used during their raid.

Describing the incident as traumatic and distressing, Friedman stressed the importance of sharing campus voices and experiences, underscoring the newspaper’s responsibility.

She concluded her post by expressing gratitude for the support received by Daily Bruin during the challenging week.

Meanwhile, on X, several users expressed solidarity with Friedman and Daily Bruin, offering words of support and encouragement. Some called Friedman “the light, the hope, and our future,” while others encouraged self-care and resilience in the face of trauma.

On Thursday morning, workers were seen cleaning up debris left on the campus lawn, including tents, chairs, and food. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block acknowledged the community’s pain, noting that while the protest was initially permitted as long as it remained peaceful, it eventually escalated into violence and disruption.