Content warning for stories and experiences of sexual assault: Students at the University of Southern California began to protest after reports of sexual assault that took place at the Sigma Nu fraternity house were released by the USC’s Department of Public Safety on Oct. 21. The department reported six separate accounts of sexual assault at the fraternity between Sept. 27 and Oct. 20. The unrest that developed in the community continued through early November 2021. During these weeks, students and faculty participated in protests in front of the Sigma Nu house, in marches through fraternity row and on the USC campus. These are the scenes viewed through the lens of a USC Annenberg Media photographer.
USC students march from the USC Village to the Sigma Nu fraternity house on Oct. 22, the day after initial reports of sexual assault were released by USC DPS. Students held signs made earlier in the day at the USC Village. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
A USC student turns around and faces the crowd before taping a piece of paper on the Sigma Nu fraternity house alongside other notes written by students sharing their experiences with sexual assault. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
USC students gather for a candlelight vigil for victims of sexual assault on Oct 22. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
A USC student throws a water bottle at the Sigma Nu house. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
A participant in the protest uses spray paint to write on the Sigma Nu fraternity house on Oct. 22. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
The Sigma Nu fraternity house in the late evening on Oct. 22, 2021. Many USC students spent time at the house in the 48 hours prior, writing and reading the handwritten notes of sexual assault survivors. These notes were then taped onto the front windows of the fraternity house. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
Nour Myra Geha, center with the megaphone, led chants while marching with a large crowd from USC Village to the Sigma Nu fraternity house. USC Flow and a number of other organizations hosted the march on Oct. 25 to protest the recent reports of sexual assault. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
USC students hold signs while walking down West 28th Street’s “fraternity row.” Students ended the march at the Sigma Nu house between University and Figueroa avenues. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
A student holds up a sign reading “Be ruthless with systems be kind with people” while walking with a crowd of 300 people to the Sigma Nu fraternity house. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
By Oct. 25, the Sigma Nu fraternity house had all of the written notes removed and the spray-painted messages painted over while a security guard protected the house around the clock. A fence was also put up around the perimeter of the property. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
USC’s Provost Charles Zukoski speaks with faculty and students at a faculty-organized “Save Our Students” protest on Oct. 29. The “SOS” protest gathered in front of Bovard Auditorium on the USC University Park Campus. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
A faculty member joins the protest with “SOS” written on her mask. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
USC faculty and staff gather in front of the USC’s Bovard auditorium to protest the recent reports of sexual assault at the Sigma Nu Fraternity house. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
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