Pro-Palestinian Protesters Vandalize UC Regent Jay Sures’ Brentwood Residence
A peaceful morning in Brentwood took a disruptive turn as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the home of UC Regent Jonathan “Jay” Sures. The protesters, identified as members of Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA, made their presence known by hanging banners on Sures’ hedges and leaving red handprints on his walls. The demonstration, which occurred between 6 to 8 a.m., quickly escalated into an act of vandalism, as reported by local sources and social media posts.
Law enforcement officials were called to the residential street in Brentwood around 6:15 a.m. following reports of the protest. LAPD officers arrived to find a group of 50 to 100 protesters obstructing the street and driveway. The UCLA Police Department was also notified of the vandalism, marking a significant development in the situation.
The target of the protest, Jay Sures, a Jewish individual, expressed his belief that he was singled out due to his vocal support for Israel and Jewish students. In an interview with Deadline, Sures condemned the protesters’ actions, emphasizing the disruption caused to his neighborhood and the intimidation faced by his family. This incident marked the first time that protesters had visited his home, indicating a new level of escalation in their efforts.
Outrage and Backlash
Videos and images circulated on social media captured the chaotic scene outside Sures’ residence, showcasing LAPD officers attempting to manage the unruly crowd. The protesters, donning masks and chanting slogans while beating drums, displayed a banner with the message, “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” echoing a common sentiment among those advocating for divestment from companies associated with Israel.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, condemned the protest as an act of “boldfaced bigotry,” urging law enforcement to investigate and hold the responsible parties accountable. Greenblatt’s statement underscored the concerning trend of targeting Jewish individuals for harassment and intimidation, calling attention to the need for swift action in addressing such behavior.
A History of Tension
The recent protests directed at Sures were linked to a letter he had penned to the UC Board of Regents in 2023, denouncing the UC Ethnic Studies Faculty Council’s accusations of biased communications during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Sures’ response to the council’s claims highlighted a deep-seated disagreement over the portrayal of events in the Middle East, with both sides staunchly defending their positions.
Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine, in their social media post following the protest, characterized Sures as a symbol of the regents’ alleged profiting from genocide and suppression of dissent on university campuses. The ongoing demand for the UC system to boycott and divest from companies affiliated with Israel has been met with resistance from the university administration, creating a contentious backdrop for the recent events.
As tensions continue to simmer between pro-Palestinian advocates and supporters of Israel, the clash of ideologies and the quest for justice remain at the forefront of the discourse. The intersection of political beliefs, personal convictions, and institutional power dynamics underscores the complexity of addressing contentious issues in a diverse and polarized society. The aftermath of the protest at UC Regent Jay Sures’ residence serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in navigating conflicting viewpoints and fostering constructive dialogue in the pursuit of peace and understanding.
