Los Angeles police cleared a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Southern California early Sunday, forcing dozens of people through the campus gates in the latest crackdown on student protesters at the university.
The encampment appeared about two weeks ago at Alumni Park in the heart of the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles. Shortly after, the university called police to campus and arrested 93 people, but protests soon resumed. Los Angeles police announced Sunday morning that a second search of the encampment resulted in no arrests.
The university has been in turmoil for weeks after its decision not to allow its Muslim valedictorian to speak at its commencement ceremony. The university cited safety concerns, but valedictorian Asna Tabassum said he believed he was being silenced. The University of Southern California has since canceled its main graduation ceremony entirely, but plans to hold a modified celebration this week.
On Sunday, police in riot gear entered the campus before dawn and pushed about 25 protesters through the campus' metal gates. Blankets, sweatshirts, coolers, snacks and an overturned canopy were scattered around the quad after police cleaned it up.
Only a few tents, barricaded with wooden pallets and decorated with messages and Palestinian flags, were still standing. Signs taped to trees read messages such as “Every Palestinian has the same right to life as you and I” and “Disclose, deprive and protect.”
In recent days, authorities have increased security around the private campus, allowing only those with university IDs to enter.
In a message to students and others Friday, University of Southern California President Carol Folt said “there will always be consequences” if people do not follow campus rules. She said the university has begun disciplinary proceedings against those who violated the law and campus policies.
Folt said the university respects freedom of expression, but the protests have reached a tipping point.
“Freedom of speech and assembly does not include the right to disrupt equal access to campus, damage property, or incite harassment, violence, or intimidation,” Folt wrote. “Furthermore, no person has the right to disrupt the normal functioning of the University, including graduation ceremonies.”
Protesters viewed Sunday's police operation as an unnecessary escalation. Among the demonstrators' demands is that the university seek a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, reveal details of its investments and address “Israeli and U.S. colonialism, apartheid, genocide and violence.” This includes asking them to withdraw from companies they see as enabling.
The University of Southern California's move to clear the protest camp comes as the University of California, Los Angeles, continues to face intense scrutiny over its handling of protests. On the same campus last week, police did not intervene for hours when a group of counter-protesters, many of whom wore pro-Israel slogans on their clothing, stormed a pro-Palestinian encampment. The next night, police arrested about 200 people participating in the protests there.