Los Angeles police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California early Sunday morning, pushing several dozen people out of the campus gates in the latest crackdown on student protesters there.
The encampment had emerged nearly two weeks ago in Alumni Park, a central quad on the USC campus in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, the university called police to campus, where they arrested 93 people, but the protest returned shortly afterwards. Los Angeles police said Sunday morning that they had made no arrests as they cleared the camp for the second time.
The university has been in turmoil for several weeks after the decision not to allow his farewell, who is Muslim, to speak at the graduation ceremony. The university cited security concerns, but valedictorian Asna Tabassum said she believed she was being silenced. USC later cancelled it is the most important graduation ceremony overall, although one will take place modified celebration this week.
On Sunday, police officers in riot gear entered the campus before dawn and pushed about 25 protesters out of the campus' metal gates. After the police check, the quad was littered with blankets, sweatshirts, coolers, snacks and fallen awnings.
Only a few tents remained standing, barricaded by wooden pallets and decorated with messages and Palestinian flags. Signs taped to trees carried messages such as “every Palestinian has the right to live like you and me” and “disclose, divest, defend.”
In recent days, officials had tightened security around the private campus, allowing only people with college IDs
USC President Carol Folt said A message told students and others Friday that “there should be consequences” when people ignore campus rules. She said the university has initiated a disciplinary process for people who have violated laws or campus policies.
Ms Folt said while the university valued freedom of expression, the protest had reached a tipping point.
“Freedom of speech and assembly does not include the right to obstruct equal access to campus, damage property, or incite intimidation, violence, and threats,” Ms. Folt wrote. “Nor does anyone have the right to hinder the normal functioning of our university, including its commencement.”
Protesters on Sunday viewed the police operation as an unnecessary escalation. Among the protesters' demands is that the university call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, detail its investments and divest companies that they say enable “Israeli and American colonialism, apartheid, genocide and violence.” to make.
USC's decision to clear the protest encampment comes as the University of California, Los Angeles, continues to take a critical look at its handling of the protests. Police officers intervened on that campus for hours last week when a group of counter-protesters — many of whom wore pro-Israel slogans on their clothing — attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment. The next night, police arrested about 200 people at the protest there.