At the University of Southern California campus, the Los Angeles Police Department intervened in a pro-Palestine protest on Wednesday, detaining multiple demonstrators amidst escalating tensions.
The clash between police officers and protesters unfolded as students participated in nationwide pro-Palestine demonstrations, erecting encampments on USC’s campus. By 10 p.m., LAPD reported approximately 93 arrests.
Those apprehended were processed at LAPD’s Metropolitan Division in Downtown Los Angeles, facing suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing. Responding to these detentions, pro-Palestine supporters organized another protest outside the detention center.
In response to the upheaval, USC shut its campus gates as students and protesters began an “occupation” of Alumni Park, demanding the university sever financial ties with Israel amid ongoing conflict.
“Anyone coming to campus should be prepared to show an ID at the gates for class or for business,” USC alerted. “Please continue to avoid the center of campus unless you have a class.”
Footage from NewsChopper4 depicted campus police attempting to dismantle encampments set up for Gaza Solidarity Occupation demonstrations nationwide. Around 5:30 p.m., LAPD issued a dispersal order to clear protesters from campus grounds.
While initially peaceful, the demonstration grew tense as the evening progressed. By 6 p.m., some protesters became unruly, hurling objects, including rocks and water bottles, at officers.
Ignoring law enforcement directives, numerous demonstrators linked arms and continued chanting, signaling their intent to persist with the demonstration. USC’s Department of Public Safety was designated to handle any ensuing arrests.
Additionally, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department assisted campus police in response to a distress call from the university. A campus-wide alert was issued to students and faculty, cautioning of “significant activity” at the campus center due to ongoing demonstrations.
