Questions continue to swirl about whether extremist groups are involved in the protests, which first drew national attention at Columbia University in New York, and whether the protests themselves include hate speech. But the UCLA protest was one that was conclusively influenced by a clash with extremist forces this week.

A day later, police wearing riot gear tore the camp down and arrested more than 200 people in the early hours of Thursday morning. USA TODAY reported from the scene. Here is what happened.