Early Sunday morning, police officers in riot gear were dispatched to the University of Southern California to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment. Prior to their arrival, a dispersal warning had been issued.
The protesters had set up camp overnight, but by morning, the area had been cleared. Live images from the campus revealed that officers had established a perimeter around the site, and there were no visible protesters present. Tents and debris were left behind, but no arrests have been reported, according to Joel Curran, USC’s Senior Vice President of Communications.
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The LAPD arrived at the location at approximately 4 a.m., issuing a warning for the protesters to vacate the area voluntarily. Prior to this, USC used their official social media platform X to announce, “If you are currently situated in the center of campus, we kindly request that you leave. Failure to comply may result in potential arrest.”
Upon the arrival of officers, a chorus of protesters filled the air with their resounding chants, while the rhythmic beats of drums echoed in the background.
Zain Khan, a student journalist at USC, reported witnessing a significant police presence on campus. According to Khan, an encampment had been established with approximately 100 members. The LAPD officers arrived and issued a dispersal warning, resulting in most of the protesters leaving in a peaceful manner.
According to Zain, DPS and the LAPD worked together to escort the individuals out and effectively clear the area. There were no reports of any conflicts or instances of violence occurring.
According to Curran, requesting the LAPD’s presence was crucial to ensure a peaceful removal of the encampment while providing security.
“We are grateful to the LAPD for their assistance in helping DPS clear the encampment and restore a sense of normalcy for our students and community as swiftly and safely as possible,” Curran expressed his gratitude. “We will provide further updates to our community later today.”
In the afternoon, USC’s president, Carol Folt, released a statement confirming that the campus had reopened and students were returning to prepare for their final exams.
Folt continued to express her thoughts, stating:
“Dear Trojan Family,
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do for our university. Your unwavering support and dedication have been truly remarkable.
It is during challenging times like these that the strength of a community shines through. And the Trojan Family has undoubtedly shown its resilience and unity. From students to faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, each and every one of you has played a pivotal role in helping us navigate these unprecedented circumstances.
Whether it’s through your generous donations, volunteering your time, or simply offering words of encouragement, you have made a significant impact on the lives of our students and the future of our university. Your support has allowed us to provide crucial resources and opportunities to ensure the success and well-being of our entire community.
I am continually inspired by the stories of compassion and determination that I hear from our Trojan Family. From healthcare workers on the frontlines to researchers working tirelessly for a cure, our community is filled with individuals who are making a difference in the world.
As we move forward, I am confident that the Trojan spirit will continue to guide us. Together, we will overcome any obstacles that come our way and emerge stronger than ever before. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our Trojan Family.
Fight on!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]”
This morning, DPS, with the help of the LAPD, successfully evicted the occupiers who had once again set up their unauthorized encampment in Alumni Park. I wanted to inform you that the operation was carried out without any violence or disturbances. As a result, the campus is now open, and students have started returning to prepare for their final exams. Additionally, preparations for the upcoming commencement ceremony are well underway.
In the past few weeks, the university has shown great patience and restraint in handling a highly volatile situation. We have been engaging in daily conversations with the occupiers, providing them with repeated warnings, and suggesting alternative locations for them to peacefully protest. We firmly believe in and support their right to express their strong opinions and passions for their cause, just as we always have.
When protests for free speech turn into illegal occupations and begin to infringe upon the rights of others, it becomes necessary to establish boundaries. The occupiers consistently disregarded university policies that are meant to benefit everyone and even resorted to breaking the law. In order to safeguard the rights of our 80,000 students, staff, and faculty, prompt action was required. This is particularly crucial during the period that encompasses the end-of-term quiet study week, finals, and our commencement ceremonies.
Over the past few days, despite our best efforts to calm the situation, the occupation on campus took a dangerous turn. Trousdale, our main thoroughfare, was blocked, and individuals walking down the street faced harassment. Furthermore, iconic Trojan symbols were vandalized, and university property was stolen. The situation escalated to the point where residence halls, libraries, and other areas on campus became hotspots for confrontations. Even during mandated quiet periods, some finals were disrupted by noise and chanting. Yesterday, things took a turn for the worse when outside agitators breached the perimeter fencing and attacked our officers.
It was time to put an end to this situation.
I asked the LAPD to help DPS in removing the encampment from USC in a peaceful and safe manner. At 4:10 a.m., an order was given for the trespassers to disperse, giving them one final chance to leave voluntarily. Within 64 minutes, the encampment was cleared and abandoned. The operation was carried out without any arrests. We have zero tolerance for any form of illegal encampments at USC.
In the past week, we have diligently and cautiously implemented our strategy. Our primary focus was on prioritizing safety and restoring a sense of normalcy to our campus and the surrounding community. Our objective was to enable our students to complete their exams without any additional interruptions and to provide USC with the opportunity to host the well-deserved commencement celebrations for our graduates.
Last Friday, I communicated to the Trojan Family about the vital role that freedom of speech plays in shaping our university and upholding the values of our democratic society. USC, with its diverse student body of 47,000 individuals, embraces a multitude of perspectives, and our policies are intentionally crafted to foster an environment where everyone can freely express their opinions.
I would like to express my gratitude to DPS and the LAPD for their quick response, exemplary behavior, and genuine care for the well-being of our students. I am also grateful to the Trojan community and our neighbors for their understanding and patience as we navigate through these difficult circumstances.
Earlier this week, Folt announced that the school has initiated disciplinary investigations against those who have “violated our policies and the law.” The number of individuals under investigation has not been disclosed. These investigations were launched in response to the arrests of 93 people on-campus on April 24, following a confrontation between protesters in the encampment and the police.
USC has faced student protests regarding the war in Gaza and the administration’s choice to cancel a graduation speech by Asna Tabassum, the valedictorian and a Muslim student who has shown support for Palestinians. The university cited safety concerns and received threats, leading to their decision. Certain Jewish groups had expressed criticism towards the student’s selection as the speaker.
The main stage event, which was originally set to take place on May 10 and was expected to draw a crowd of 65,000 to celebrate the graduates, has been canceled by administrators. However, other commencement activities, such as graduation ceremonies for individual schools and colleges, are still scheduled to proceed from Thursday through Sunday. Access to the private campus has been mostly limited to those affiliated with the university since late April.
