Police on UC Irvine campus after anti-Israel agitators swarm buildings; students told to 'shelter in place'

After hundreds of anti-Israel protesters swarmed buildings and set up barricades in them at the University of California, Irvine, local law enforcement agencies responded and students were ordered to "shelter in place" on Wednesday.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a UC Irvine spokesperson said that the campus erupted into chaos after several hundreds of protesters entered the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall on the California campus and began to barricade the building at 2:30 p.m. PST.

The university said that they put out a call to local law enforcement and received immediate assistance from the Irvine Police Department and Organge County Sheriff's department.

Footage from the campus showed law enforcement, dressed in protest gear and holding machine guns, clashing with anti-Israel agitators.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT IN HANDCUFFS RIPS UP DIPLOMA ON COMMENCEMENT STAGE IN ACT OF PROTEST

Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday.

The protesters were seen holding umbrellas and chanting, "free, free Palestine."

"From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free" they were heard chanting. "Long live Palestine."

Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday. Demonstrators continue to swarm college campuses across the U.S. in protest of the Jewish state's war with Hamas. (Fox News)

Authorities said that the protesters who entered the campus on Wednesday afternoon joined the established encampment that had been occupying the campus since April 29.

In a X post, UC Irvine told students to "shelter in place" as police descended onto the campus.

"Protest has escalated near Physical Science Quad. Avoid the area," the social media post said. "If you are in the area, shelter in place for your safety until further notice."

Police stand in front of anti-Israel agitators at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday. Demonstrators continue to swarm college campuses across the U.S. in protest of the Jewish state's war with Hamas.

UC Irvine said that classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day and that they are monitoring the situation.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation and strongly urge people to stay away from the campus," the school said.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.