The latest on the USC campus protests includes a significant number of arrests and confrontations between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and law enforcement. On April 25, 2024, a large group of protesters, including students and off-campus supporters, set up tents, banners, and signs in the center of the University of Southern California (USC) campus. This demonstration was part of a broader, nationwide trend of college protests in support of Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The protests led to a strong police response, with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arresting 93 people on trespassing charges as they cleared an encampment at the center of the campus. The protesters were largely peaceful until scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators over posting banners and tents, which are not allowed on the private university's campus.
The university administration had previously closed the campus to all but students due to the significant activity and safety concerns. The protesters demanded transparency of USC endowments and investments, an academic boycott of Israel, defunding of the school's Department of Public Safety, and for university officials to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The university's decision to cancel the commencement speech for valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who posted pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel content on her social media, added to the tensions on campus. The administration cited safety concerns for this decision.
The protests have also sparked a wider debate on freedom of speech and the rights of students to express their views on campus, with many expressing concern over the university's response to the protests.