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USC's Protest Encampments Cleared By LAPD And Campus Security
Students set up camp for a pro-Palestinian protest on campus at USC on April 24, 2024.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Topline:
Protesters at the University of Southern California complied with campus security and police orders to clear out their pro-Palestinian encampment.
What happened: Student protesters were ordered to leave the tents early this morning or face arrests. The university sent an alert out to students telling demonstrators to leave and informing them that campus security was working with the Los Angeles Police Department to empty the encampment. This warning came after police vans arrived on campus, according to USC student reporter Zain Khan, who was present on campus this morning.
About the encampment: About 100 protesters were present, most of whom left peacefully soon after police started to move in on the camp, according to Khan. No arrests were made, according to LAPD spokesperson Norma Eisenman. This iteration of USC's encampment was established last weekend.
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Why now: The clearing comes as the university prepares for its commencement ceremonies this week, which start on May 8.
The backstory: Protests started at USC after valedictorian Asna Tabassum was not permitted to speak at this year's commencement ceremony. The encampments at USC were previously cleared on April 24, during which 93 people were arrested.
Other schools: Students at college campuses across the United States have erected tent encampments as part of protests calling for institutions to divest from Israel. Police arrested 25 people on Saturday at the University of Virginia after protesters refused to leave their tents.
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