Los Angeles police have dispersed a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California (USC). Officers, clad in riot gear, took action early on Sunday, following warnings from USC officials that remaining individuals could face arrest. CBS, the BBC’s US partner, reported that no arrests were made. USC President Carol Folt expressed gratitude to law enforcement and campus security for resolving the situation “as peacefully and safely as possible.”
The university, amidst a backdrop of sustained pro-Palestinian demonstrations, now anticipates potential disruptions during upcoming graduation ceremonies. Online visuals from USC depict abandoned tents and scattered debris, as police maintained a perimeter around the site.
Zain Khan, a USC student journalist, recounted that approximately 100 individuals occupied the encampment, which was subsequently cleared by a contingent of both police officers and members from the university’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). Khan noted that while most vacated the area peacefully, some engaged in chanting.
Following the clearance, USC issued social media advisories, announcing the campus’s accessibility to students, faculty, and staff with valid identification. However, the university cautioned against the presence of “tents and related equipment,” stipulating their confiscation if found.