Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters have remained on the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) campus behind barricades despite police orders to leave, The Associated Press reports.

Officers were poised to move in on their fortified encampment that was surrounded by an even larger crowd, including supporters who locked arms and curious onlookers, it added.

Shortly before 2am local time, police briefly made their way into the perimeter of the encampment, only to retreat after being outnumbered by scores of protesters yelling “Shame on you!”

Some in the crowd tossed water bottles and other objects as dozens of officers ran back. Later, the crowd chanted “We’re not leaving. You don’t scare us”.

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