“Due to the distress caused by the violence that took place on Royce Quad late last night and early this morning, all classes are cancelled today. Please avoid the Royce Quad area,” UCLA posted on X, formerly Twitter, shortly before 8:30 a.m.

The violence erupted shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday when the group of about 50 counterprotestors wearing dark clothing, hoods and white masks covering their faces stormed the barricade and tried to tear it down.

Unarmed security guards were forced to flee as fireworks were launched at the encampment, exploding near the tents that have overtaken Royce Quad.