Two California mayors clashed on social media after law enforcement was called to confront anti-Israel agitators on the campus of the University of California, Irvine.
Responding to a public announcement from UC Irvine to X students, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan and former Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill shared their competitive perspectives as the forces of the Order invaded the California campus after demonstrators erected barricades.
“It’s a shame that peaceful protests for freedom of expression are always suppressed with violence,” Khan wrote. “Taking up space on campus or in a building does not pose a threat to anyone.”
“UCI leaders must do everything they can to avoid creating a scenario of violence here. These are your unarmed students,” she added.
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Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan apparently condemned law enforcement for responding to the University of California, Irvine campus — at the university’s request — as anti-Israel protesters occupied a building. (Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Following comments from the Mayor of Irvine on law enforcement, The former Newport Beach mayor criticized Khan’s “reckless phrasing,” saying she “preemptively blamed police officers” for violence.
“Newport Beach police officers are currently in Irvine assisting with a mutual aid call. Your careless wording makes it appear that you are preemptively accusing our officers and the officers of the many agencies responsible for law enforcement. “Law enforcement responded, with violence,” O’Neill responded.
O’Neill called on the current mayor to “clarify” his message.
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“If that’s what you meant, then your message is below the office of mayor. If not, clarify immediately,” he wrote.
Law enforcement was called to respond when anti-Israel agitators stormed a building on the University of California Irvine campus on Wednesday, May 15. (Fox News)
The comments of the duel came after UC Irvine was invaded by anti-Israel agitators on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a UC Irvine spokesperson said the campus descended into chaos after several hundred protesters entered the physical sciences lecture hall and began barricading the building at 2:30 p.m. PST.
Several hundred anti-Israel protesters entered the physical sciences lecture hall at UC Irvine on Wednesday and began barricading themselves inside, despite the university demanding that they leave the area. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
The university said it had launched a call for local law enforcement and received immediate assistance from the Irvine Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
At least one protester was seen arrested in live-streamed footage of the anti-Israel agitators’ confrontation with police.
Authorities said protesters who entered campus Wednesday afternoon, they joined the established encampment which has occupied the campus since April 29.
Fox News Digital has contacted Khan and O’Neill for comment.
