USC pro-Palestine encampment cleared by police

UCLA, USC's pro-Palestine encampments cleared

Pro-Palestine encampments on the campuses of UCLA and USC have been cleared, In the wake of violent clashes at UCLA, the university has created a "Campus Safety" office.

A pro-Palestinian encampment in the middle of USC's main campus was cleared Sunday morning by officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and USC's Department of Public Safety, ending a high-profile demonstration that began in April.

No arrests or major confrontations were reported.

The encampment clean-up began round 4:30 a.m. although USC Annenberg Media reported at 3:51 a.m. that university police officers told student reporters they planned to come in around 4 a.m. and had set up a staging area for the media, which they alleged was too far away to witness any arrests.

Police clear USC pro-Palestine encampment

Police in riot gear cleared a pro-Palestine encampment on USC's campus overnight Saturday. Police cleared tents signs. No one was arrested.

Protesters shouted "Free Palestine" at 4:17 a.m., as officers began surrounding the encampment, Annenberg Media said. At 4:25 a.m., DPS officers gave protesters in the encampment 15 minutes to leave the area before facing arrest.

The officers started at 4:35 a.m. to remove the banners hung by protesters, moving them to the side of the park, Annenberg said. An officer reportedly told Annenberg Media reporters it is "a DPS operation."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: USC encampment remains as commencement approaches

Pro-Palestine demonstrators continue their camp-in at Alumni Park on the campus of USC. The university has told protesters they need the area for commencement this week, and that demonstrators would have to pack up.

During this time USC officials alerted students that the campus was temporarily closed.

As the clean-up operation proceed, reporters at the Daily Trojan, USC's student newspaper, reported seeing "at least 50 Los Angeles Police officers ... moving down Trousdale Parkway near the USC campus at around 4:15 a.m. with zip ties, less-lethal launchers and helmets." The also reported seeing "three police vans, which appear to be used for transporting people who have been arrested."

"Earlier today, the University of Southern California Department of Public Safety (DPS) successfully removed the illegal encampment rebuilt on the university’s campus. It was necessary to request the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to provide security as this was carried out peacefully," said Joel Curran, Senior Vice President of Communications. "No arrests have been reported. We want to thank LAPD for assisting DPS in clearing the encampment and restoring normalcy for students and community as quickly and safely as possible."

"The operation was peaceful. Campus is opening, students are returning to prepare for finals, and commencement set-up is in full swing. Over the last few weeks, the university exercised patience and restraint as we worked to de-escalate a volatile situation. We’ve spoken to the occupiers daily, issued repeated warnings, and offered opportunities and locations for them to protest lawfully," USC President Carol Folt said in a statement. "We’ve supported their right to express strong opinions and passions for their cause, as always.Yet when free speech protests devolve into illegal occupations, violating the rights of others, we must draw a line. The occupiers repeatedly chose to ignore university policies designed to benefit everyone, and to break the law. We needed to act quickly to protect the rights of our 80,000 students, staff, and faculty."

The campus on Sunday also re-opened its main University Park campus to students, faculty and staff with ID.

On Thursday, USC implemented updated campus-entry procedures as it remains under a state of heightened security. It also came a day after the school revealed plans for a "Trojan Family Graduate Celebration" at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Thursday, to replace the previously canceled main stage commencement ceremony amid the pro-Palestinian protests.

According to the university DPS, vehicle and pedestrian access to the campus is available at the McCarthy and McClintock entrances. The entry at Watt Way is not open, but DPS officials said it or other locations may be used as exits to help relieve vehicle congestion.

A separate, temporary interior perimeter fence is in place, with pedestrian access available at McCarthy Way and the quad; Watt Way and 34th Street; and McClintock Avenue and Childs Way.

Entry was still limited to students and employees with IDs. Pre- registered guests must show a QR code available from the visitor.usc.edu website, as well as a government-issued ID.

USC announced late Friday afternoon it is pausing visitor registration because the "campus is very busy with events and construction work to prepare for commencement," but existing visitor passes will be honored.

University officials said all bags will be subject to search. People wearing masks will be asked to lower them briefly to verify identification, according to the university.

Conditions on the USC campus had remained relatively calm in recent days, a far cry from the scene last week when 93 people were arrested following a mass protest and attempted occupation of Alumni Park.

On Wednesday, dozens of USC faculty members held a march through the campus in support of protesters, calling in part for amnesty for those who were arrested last week.

The Wednesday march remained peaceful, with some students joining the faculty in the late-afternoon procession. It happened hours after a virtual meeting was held between members of the campus Academic Senate and Folt, who was joined by Provost Andrew Guzman.

Folt wrote on social media Wednesday afternoon that the meeting was "to explain our reasoning and answer their thoughtful and direct questions about our recent decisions."

"Rich & sometimes opposing views are essential to a great university," Folt wrote. "Trust is built every day & we hope this was a step forward."

In her letter, Folt wrote that "the university has initiated disciplinary review processes for individuals who have violated both our policies and the law. We will take any further actions required to maintain campus safety and security, consistent with our legal obligations."

"The university is legally obligated to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can move freely throughout our campus while pursuing their studies, work, and research," Folt wrote. "Every part of our campuses, including Alumni Park, must be fully accessible and free from vandalism and harassment."

USC became a focal point of Southland pro-Palestinian protests following its decision to cancel valedictorian Asna Tabassum's commencement speech in response to complaints about online posts that critics called antisemitic. USC officials insisted the move was solely a security issue, not a political decision.

As tensions continued mounting -- leading to the mass protest April 24 that resulted in 93 arrests -- the university eventually opted to cancel its May 10 main stage commencement in Alumni Park altogether, but vowed to move forward with the usual array of smaller satellite graduation ceremonies for the school's individual colleges.

Those ceremonies are set to begin Wednesday.