Supporters of the demonstrators were bringing meals and bottles of water while a handful of campus police officers on foot kept watch from a distance.
One student, 20, who asked to use the initials ZV, said the protesters had posted a message on social media saying they had enough food but suggested people could make friendship bracelets, which was what she and two friends were doing.
“I have to be here and show support,” she said. “In 40 years, people will look back and say ‘where were you?’”
A spokesman for the students said they were calling upon the university to divest from a range of companies which, they claimed, were linked to the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
She said students were in negotiation with the university authorities.
UC Irvine did not immediately respond to enquiries.
In a statement earlier this week, Howard Gillman, the chancellor, said: “We have reached out to the students in the existing illegal encampment and have made it clear to them that if they believe they need an “encampment” space on campus to peacefully express their views, then we will work with them to find a space that is appropriate and non-disruptive.
“We support the right of our community to protest, [but] we will stand against non-affiliates taking over university spaces where their activities threaten our core mission.”
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