The authorities removed this Sunday morning the pro-Palestinian camp installed on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC) after the school issued a warning to groups of protesters.
According to reports, the operation began around 4:00 am, when More than 100 agents in riot gear surrounded the area where the camp was set up.
“If you are in the center of campus, please leave. “People who do not leave will be arrested,” USC officials posted on social media around 5:15 a.m. this Sunday.
The Los Angeles Police Department is clearing the center of UPC. If you are in the center of campus, please leave. People who don’t leave could be arrested. https://t.co/asJnK2DljW
— USC (@USC) May 5, 2024
About an hour later, in another message, The university confirmed that the camp had been lifted.
“Early today (Sunday), The Department of Public Safety (DPS) of the University of Southern California successfully removed the illegal encampment installed on the university campus. It was necessary to request the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to provide security, as this was carried out peacefully. “No arrests were reported,” senior vice president of communications Joel Curran said in a statement.
Keep reading: More than 200 people arrested during pro-Palestine camp removal at UCLA
“We want to thank LAPD for helping DPS clear the camp and restore normalcy for students and the community as quickly and safely as possible. We will share more information with our community later,” the university official added.
The operation occurred after USC warned protesters that the camp violated school policyso it had to be removed.
Recordings broadcast by journalism students showed the camp emptying as police officers formed a line to ward off remaining protesters and to prevent people from returning to the area.
Keep reading: “Dark Chapter”: Day of violence and tension on UCLA campus after attack on protesters
“The LAPD was being a little aggressive, but The protesters left peacefully. Pretty much everyone came out, kicked them out, and did what they were told. There really wasn’t much resistance,” student journalist Taylor Contarino told ABC.
LAPD officers had already left the scene before 7:00 a.m.although a large police presence was observed in the center of campus, with some officers cleaning up the remains of the camp.
At USC, The camp was reestablished after LAPD officers first arrested 93 people in a raid on April 24.. Since then, the atmosphere on campus remained calm, while authorities’ attention focused on the arrests at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Keep reading: Activists and academics call for dialogue at the University of Southern California
USC, a private university, was the target of student protests over Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip, as well as the administration’s decision to cancel the top Muslim student’s speech who had expressed his support for the Palestinians.
The university made that decision in mid-April. claiming he had security concerns after receiving threats. Some Jewish groups criticized the choice of the student as speaker at the graduation ceremony.
Later, university administrators They canceled the entire ceremony on the main stage scheduled for May 10when USC officials expected around 65,000 people to gather for the graduation event.
Keep reading: Los Angeles Police issue tactical alert in the city due to pro-Palestinian demonstration at USC
Other graduation activities, including individual school and college ceremonies, are still scheduled to take place Thursday through Sunday.
Since the end of April, Access to the private campus was restricted largely for people not affiliated with the university.
Keep reading: University of Southern California cancels major graduation
A video that was posted online Saturday night showed some protesters when They sang quiet songs in preparation for the expected police activity.
The camp of pro-Palestinian protesters was set up in a green space on campus, with dozens of tents surrounded by makeshift fences covered with posters with various messages of support for the Palestinians and criticism of the university and the police forces.
Keep reading:
· Protesters clash on UCLA campus in protests against military actions in Gaza
· Pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli groups have more clashes at UCLA
· La Opinión Hoy: More than 200 arrests during the withdrawal of the pro-Palestine camp at UCLA