Los Angeles – Early Sunday morning, a tense situation unfolded at the University of Southern California (USC) as students protesting the war in Gaza dismantled their encampment after being surrounded by police. This comes amidst a wave of similar demonstrations and arrests across the country.
Police Presence Leads to Dismantling of Protest Camp
Dozens of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers arrived on campus around 4 am, joining campus security. The university had previously warned protesters of potential arrests through social media and in-person messages. Video footage captured the scene, showing some protesters packing their belongings and leaving peacefully, while others faced lines of officers who pushed them away from the camp as it emptied. Notably, the university reported no arrests during this operation.
University Cites Safety Concerns for Intervention
USC President Carol Folt justified the action by stating the university needed to “draw a line” due to safety concerns. She claimed the extended protest “spiraled in a dangerous direction,” with areas of campus blocked and instances of harassment. President Folt emphasized that the operation to dismantle the camp was conducted peacefully. The university is now reopening campus areas, allowing students to return for final exams and prepare for graduation ceremonies. Notably, USC had previously canceled its main graduation ceremony due to the protests, although other commencement activities are still ongoing.
Campus Safety Concerns Spark New Position at UCLA
Across town at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), another development emerged. Facing criticism for its handling of recent protests, UCLA announced the creation of a new chief safety officer position to oversee campus security operations. This announcement comes after a highly publicized incident where a pro-Palestinian student encampment was targeted by a mob attack.
Northeastern Commencement Sees Mixed Flag Display
Meanwhile, at Northeastern University’s commencement ceremony in Boston’s Fenway Park, a different scene unfolded. While some students did wave small Palestinian and Israeli flags, these displays were outnumbered by flags representing other countries, including India and the United States. Undergraduate student speaker Rebecca Bamidele received cheers for calling for peace in Gaza during her speech.
Nationwide Protests and Arrests
These events at USC and Northeastern highlight the ongoing national conversation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to The Associated Press, approximately 2,500 people have been arrested at around 50 universities since April 18th. These figures are based on reports from universities and law enforcement agencies. The trend of arrests continued over the weekend, with incidents like 25 arrests for trespassing at the University of Virginia and the removal and arrest of 68 people from a pro-Palestinian encampment at the Art Institute of Chicago.
