Mayhem ensues at USC as police break up anti-Israel protests
Officers from the University of Southern California's Department of Public Safety broke up anti-Israel agitators on the school's campus on Wednesday, causing chaos among students.
The University of Southern California announced its campus will remain closed "until further notice" following a large anti-Israel protest on Wednesday that ended with 93 arrested.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrived at campus around 4 p.m. after agitators refused to follow the university's request to leave the area, Capt. Kelly Muniz said on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday night.
After hours of clashing with campus police and the LAPD, the protest ended with 93 people arrested for trespassing.
"We haven't determined if they're going to be cited out or not. If and when, it is a misdemeanor offense. They are going, and they will be going through the booking process," Muniz said, adding that the process is "lengthy."
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CONTINUE NATIONWIDE DISRUPTIONS WITH ESCALATIONS AT USC, HARVARD AND COLUMBIA
The University of Southern California closed its campus to unauthorized visitors "until further notice" after a large anti-Israel protest, the "Gaza Solidarity Occupation," caused clashes with police and resulted in a total of 94 arrests on Wednesday. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY)
Muniz said there was an altercation in a portion of the protest area that resulted in one arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. She did not clarify what the weapon was or give any details on the incident, but said the rest of the agitators in the area dispersed after the arrest.
When asked if anyone was hurt during the demonstration, Muniz said she was not aware of any injuries to agitators or officers.
USC requested the LAPD to come on campus and arrest agitators in a large anti-Israel protest for trespassing after they refused to leave the area. (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
The university announced at 11:58 p.m. that the protest was declared over, but campus would be closed "until further notice."
"The protest on the UPC has ended. However, the campus remains closed until further notice. Students, faculty, staff, and people with business on campus may enter with proper identification," USC posted on X.
The protest, called the "Gaza Solidarity Occupation," began Wednesday morning and was one of many such demonstrations taking place on college campuses across America.
Los Angeles police arrested 93 people for trespassing and one for assault with a deadly weapon following an anti-Israel protest at USC on Wednesday. (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
In a letter to the campus community Wednesday afternoon, USC Provost Andrew Guzman said while the university supports freedom of expression for students, there are guidelines that must be followed in order for a demonstration to take place.
"We have well-established policies regarding limits on the time, place, and manner of free expression," Guzman wrote. "These include a prohibition on erecting tents or other encampments, use of loudspeakers, signs on poles or stakes, and the disruption of classes and other essential functions of the university."
He added that the protest outside of Doheny Library, which is "in the center of academic buildings," appeared to involve many people who are not affiliated with the university.
Guzman said USC's guidelines on protests do not allow for "tents or other encampments, use of loudspeakers, signs on poles or stakes, and the disruption of classes and other essential functions of the university." (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
When the agitators were asked "repeatedly" by security to remove their tents and other prohibited items, and then relocate to a "compliant location," they refused – ultimately leading the university to contact LAPD for reinforcements.
"Their actions have escalated to include acts of vandalism, defacing campus buildings and structures, as well as physical confrontation that threatens the safety of our officers and campus community," Guzman wrote.
He said the decision to close the gates to campus to unauthorized visitors "until further notice" was made in an effort to "restrict growth of the protest and keep the rest of the campus calm." The closure does not affect students, staff or others with proper USC identification.
USC Provost Andrew Guzman said the decision to close campus to unauthorized visitors was made in an effort to "restrict growth of the protest and keep the rest of the campus calm." (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
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Guzman wrapped up the letter by reminding students that USC "reject[s] speech that is hateful and that causes harm to others."
"In these challenging times, we call on the Trojan Family to remember that every member of our community is deserving of respect, has the right to be safe on campus, take classes, and participate in other campus activities without fear of harassment or bullying. It should be everyone’s priority to treat each other with kindness and care," he wrote.
