USC is the latest university to have a pro-Palestinian encampment taking place on its campus.
ATVN is live on the scene.
LIVE UPDATES:
7:40 P.M.: DPS says that any students protesting will be at risk for suspension. Students gather at Tommy Trojan for a final prayer.
7:26 P.M.: DPS issues another disperal order with a 10-minute warning from Alumni Park for all remaining people. A DPS message to students states, “If you are in the center of campus, please leave; LAPD will be arresting people who don’t disperse.” Protestors are now gathered at Exposition and Vermont.
7:18 P.M.: The final center circle protestor has been arrested and removed. The crowd cheers them out.
7:14 P.M.: Protestors have taken to Exposition Blvd.
7:12P.M.: Police are putting caution tape around alumni park. 5 protestors are left.
7:06P.M.: There are about 15 protestors left sitting in the center circle.
7:04 P.M.: Legal observers are getting the legal names and dates of birth from each passing protester in cuffs. Gate 3 is requesting back up on police radios.
7:02 P.M.: Overheard on police radio: “Protestors are heading eastbound on Jefferson from Royal. They are possibly going to attempt to enter the gate (gate 4)... Demonstration is now southbound on Figueroa”
6:53 P.M.: A USC professor seems to be among those arrested.
6:37 P.M.: Police are arresting the silent, peaceful protestors one by one out of an arm-in-arm circle in the center of Alumni Park. They are being taken into two white sprinter vans near Tommy Trojan. Many of them have the Jail Support LA phone number (424-388-1230) written on their arms.
6:29 P.M.: LAPD is arresting protestors.
6:25 P.M.: Officers have moved press to the edge of police lines and are making arrests shortly. Triage units are on standby, anticipating any injuries. Protestors are throwing water on police.
6:20 P.M.: One arrest confirmed.
6:15 P.M.: The circle of protesters on the lawn is now encircled by officers.
6:13 P.M.: Police say over the radio, no one is allowed on campus.
6:12 P.M.: Protesters have moved to the intersection of Jefferson and Hoover, occupying the crosswalk. Some cars are attempting to move around them; no official closure has been made yet.
6:10 P.M.: 36th and Vermont have been completely closed off. Some gates to campus are not allowing entry or exit. Exposition and Trousdale are open for LAPD only.
6:07 P.M.: NBC4 has reported that a protester has thrown a bottle of water at officers. Police are moving up into the international and public affairs building.
6:06 P.M.: “Roger, USC lockdown,” overheard on police radio.
6:04 P.M.: Officers are pushing in, making contact with protesters. Chants of “let her go” have erupted. Reporters on the scene are saying police are pushing protesters back.
5:56 P.M.: “Make sure you close all the gates to the village, the first group of protesters are heading northbound on Hoover possibly towards the village,” was heard over on police radio. Officers were instructed to close gates to the village. Some protesters are running, with LAPD trailing them.
5:55 P.M.: LAPD said they will process people’s fingerprints and bring them to jail on 77th street, but will not detain overnight
5:52 P.M.: DPS released an alert to the USC community about the LAPD clearing the UPC campus: “The Los Angeles Police Department is clearing the center of the UPC campus. If you are in the center of campus, please leave; LAPD will be arresting people who don’t disperse.”
5:52 P.M.: Cops have an east-west line across the walkway from the entrance of Bovard to Leavey Library. They are armed with batons. The protesters are to the north of the police line, according to an Annenberg Media reporter on the scene.
5:45 P.M.: Also overheard on police radio, LAPD is setting up triage in front of alumni house. There are two trucks waiting to transport the people who are arrested.
5:43 P.M.: University of Southern California (P25) Patch Site 10 Police Radio overheard: DPS has been told to draw back. “Service line move, put your back on the grass,” LAPD ordered. Both LAPD and LAPD Metro are on the scene. They have given directions not to let people move westbound, but rather northbound. An Annenberg Media reporter on the scene said officers are ready to go in.
5:42 P.M.: Police have started running towards the protest, forming a formation line at Alumni Park and surrounding the protesters, who are linked arm-in-arm.
5:40 P.M.: University of Southern California (P25) Patch Site 10 Police Radio overheard: “Nobody rush, everyone has to go in order.” DPS have been told to stand by.
5:36 P.M.: It’s now been ten minutes. Some protesters are leaving the site. A circling LAPD helicopter has echoed the announcement to vacate.
5:32 P.M.: University of Southern California (P25) Patch Site 10 Police Radio overheard: two LAPD trucks are coming to campus with orders to “have them go down McClintock.” The purpose of trucks is unclear.
5:30 P.M.: Around 25 protesters at the center of the lawn are chanting “we will not stop, we will not rest,” according to an Annenberg Media reporter on site. Another group of protesters is standing on the steps to the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for international and public affairs.
5:25 P.M.: Chief Lauretta Hill has given protesters another ten minutes to disperse, NBC4 has reported.
5:20 P.M.: Chief Lauretta Hill of DPS delivered the following statement: “Since 4:30 this morning Alumni Park has been occupied. At this point in time this is private property. We are requesting people in Alumni Park and adjacent to Alumni Park to leave. You have 10 minutes to leave the park and if you do not leave the park, you will be subject to criminal trespass.” An Annenberg Media reporter on the scene said there is no indication that protesters are leaving.
5:15 P.M.: Protestors have been told they have 10 minutes to leave before they will be considered to be trespassing and “risk criminal charges.”
5:21 P.M.: LAPD Officer says they are here “to assist with the mass arrests” and were called in by DPS. Those who don’t leave will be subject to private persons arrest by DPS, including students.
5:20 P.M.: Chief Lauretta Hill of DPS delivered the following statement: “Since 4:30 this morning Alumni Park has been occupied. At this point in time this is private property. We are requesting people in Alumni Park and adjacent to Alumni Park to leave. You have 10 minutes to leave the park and if you do not leave the park, you will be subject to criminal trespass.” An Annenberg Media reporter on the scene said there is no indication that protesters are leaving.
5:15 P.M.: Protestors have been told they have 10 minutes to leave before they will be considered to be trespassing and “risk criminal charges.”
5:11 P.M.: LAPD armed with green “less-lethal projectiles” and zip-tie handcuffs are currently walking onto campus at the Vermont and 36th entrance. All reports from the current protest scene say that it is peaceful.
5:05 P.M.: USC Annenberg’s DEIA Task Force announces they will be hosting a virtual “Critical Conversation” tomorrow at noon to discuss, “What happened to Asna Tabassum? And what can and should Annenberg do about it?”
5:00 P.M.: Chief counsel and director of first amendment and democracy at the ACLU of Southern California, Peter Eliasberg, released a statement concerning the student demonstrations today. “In California, we are fortunate that the Leonard Law extends protection akin to those provided by the First Amendment to students at private colleges and universities,” he wrote. “We urge campus administrators not to resort to law enforcement or private campus security to interfere with student demonstrations and encampments. We encourage students to review their schools’ policies about demonstrations and protests and to know their rights.”
The Leonard Law “prohibits private universities from making or enforcing a rule that subjects an enrolled student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of speech protected by the First Amendment.” USC, as a private institution, is not directly bound by the First Amendment, but the Leonard Law protects students’ speech on a state level.
4:10 P.M.: News and police helicopters have been circling campus today. At least five remain.
4:05 P.M.: Lázaro Aguero, the father of a USC student, recently addressed the crowd. He brought along his younger children for support and donned a USC dad shirt. “University students, or high school students, are the ones that are going to change the world,” he said. “We are speaking up for Palestine, because we
know that what’s happening in Palestine is not right, it’s wrong.” He said he appreciates the work of students at USC and other universities across the country.
3:50 P.M.: A counter-protester was seen dancing and playing loud music in front of banners belonging to the main protest.
3:45 P.M.: DPS has issued an order to lock every building requiring keycard access on campus. Students can show ID to enter the building.
3:28 P.M.: What’s USC’s policy on tents, signs and noise? Per the USC Student Handbook, “university grounds and facilities may not be used for the purposes of camping,” which includes the use of tents. Also according to the handbook, “posting or flyer distribution” is prohibited in a number of areas. This includes on trees, on the ground, on buildings, Tommy Trojan and all other statues, lamp posts, fences, utility poles, fountains and more. Further, the use of amplified sound, which includes microphones, speakers and other amplifiers, must be approved by Trojan Event Services for use in open areas.
3:05 P.M.: LAPD is heading onto campus now armed with green “less-lethal projectiles” and zip-tie handcuffs.
2:55 P.M.: The walls of GFS, TCC and ASC have been spray painted with “LET GAZA LIVE” and “FREE PALESTINE.”
2:45 P.M.: A man has been spotted collecting and carrying rocks. An Annenberg Media reporter saw him walk over to an officer and engage in conversation. It is unclear whether the man is a protester, or counter-protester.
2:40 P.M.: In his letter to the USC community, Provost Andrew Guzman said that the current entry policy for campus is the same as the standard evening and weekend entry policies. “We have closed the campus gates and are taking action to restrict growth of the protest and keep the rest of campus calm,” he wrote. “Until further notice, [we] are restricting unauthorized individuals from entering campus.”
2:20 P.M.: Annenberg School directors have sent an all-faculty email saying, that “given events on campus, we would like to offer you the option to hold your classes in a hybrid or online modality through the end of the week.” Other classes are being proactively canceled or moved online for today and the rest of this week.
2:10 P.M.: Provost Andrew Guzman sent a message out to the USC community regarding today’s events. “As always, our highest priority and responsibility is to protect the safety of our community and ensure our academic programs and ensure our academic programs and university activities continue unabated,” he wrote. Guzman also affirmed that while the university “values freedom of expression,” it also has “well-established policies regarding limits on the time, place, and manner of free expression.” These limits include a prohibition on tents or encampments, use of loudspeakers, signs on poles or stakes, and the disruption of classes and other essential functions of the university.
2:15 P.M.: Cornel West’s vice presidential running mate, Melina Abdullah, is speaking at Alumni Park at the protest.
2:10 P.M.: Students report their classrooms are being locked in buildings such as Leavey, DMC, and VHE. Reasoning in unclear at this point.
1:55 P.M.: USC campus main entrance (Jefferson and Hoover) is open. Students must present an ID.
1:30 P.M. Officer Morales from DPS said that the only way into campus will be at McClintock Avenue and that it should be open the rest of the day. Other gates into campus are closing, with padlocks being placed on the gates. A member of USC transportation said that no vehicle entry onto campus will be allowed, and all daytime parking is being directed to Shrine and Figueroa. The village is still accessible through pedestrian gates.
1:25 P.M.: Members of the USC community received the following DPS alert: “There is still significant activity at the center of the UPC campus due to a demonstration. The gates are closed, so anyone coming to campus should be prepared to show an ID at the gates for class or for business. Please continue to avoid the center of campus unless you have a class.”
1:20 P.M.: The USC Village Gates have been closed to the public. Doheny Library is also closed.
1:15 P.M.: Annenberg Media spoke with a freshman majoring in legal studies and psychology who has asked to remain anonymous because of their immigration status. They expressed their frustration with the police presence on campus. “They were doing yoga for God’s sake,” they said of the protesters. “[The officers] literally were coming over here to take them away – to take everything away – and assaulting them. It’s very frustrating.” The student was one of the chanters calling for the release of the detained protester.
1 P.M.: Annenberg media spoke with two women who decided to show their support for the occupation through food. “We’re so moved by the students all over the United States standing up against this genocide,” said Beatrice Valenzuela. She and Caitlin Wylde wanted to bring food to protesters. “Everyone’s going to be hungry. At least we can bring a little sustenance and support in that way. Bring a little nourishment to this beautiful, beautiful movement,” she said.
12:55 P.M.: The Ronald Tutor Campus Center is under lockdown. The first floor doors are locked but the elevators inside the building as well as the food court are still open. Student union workers were instructed to not arrive for their shift.
12:50 P.M.: Leavey Library has been placed under lockdown. Students are allowed to leave the building but not enter. In the plaza, the scene is peaceful with students marching and press and police watching from the bike path. Protesters are displaying a sign saying “Let Gaza Live.”
12:45 P.M.: A line of cop cars along the campus’ edge on 36th street has been observed, with the street sectioned off, according to an Annenberg Media reporter. The officers on 36th street were seen in swat gear, carrying batons. Throughout the day, reporters on the scene have witnessed officers pulling out batons amid altercations with protesters.
12:40: Members of the USC community received a DPS alert reading: “There is still significant activity at the center of the UPC campus due to a demonstration. Please avoid the center of campus.”
12:30 P.M.: LAPD detectives are on scene in Alumni Park
12:25 P.M.: The instagram account @peoplescitycouncil shared a video of officers grabbing several protesters, including one person who was grabbed around their neck. The video was captioned by the account: “USC cops violently arresting Palestinian Youth Movement organizer. They are going nuts right now. Totally unhinged.”
12:15 P.M.: After the release of the detained protester, Annenberg Media reporters on the scene say the mood calmed down, with protestors returning to chanting peacefully.
12:10 P.M.: DPS has called on LAPD riot police for back up, according to legal observers overhearing a DPS Officer’s Radio. Riot police are said to be gathering at 36th and Vermont and waiting for DPS call to enter.
11:43 A.M.: Members of the USC community received a DPS text alert reading: “There is significant activity at the center of the UPC campus due to a demonstration. There may be difficulty accessing that area.”
11:40 A.M.: DPS detained one protester, whose identity or student status is unclear. The crowd of protesters chanted “let him go,” while standing in the way of the car’s path. Annenberg Media witnessed one officer with an LAPD badge and “LAPD Southwest Detective” shirt outside the car saying, “If the crowd is minimal, I can let him go.” Annenberg Media also witnessed officers asking students for the name of the person detained. The officers have now reportedly let the protester go, receiving cheers from the crowd.
At 7 a.m. Wednesday, students from the USC Divest From Death Coalition began its occupation of Alumni Park in solidarity with Gaza. This occupation comes after USC’s recent decision not to allow valedictorian Asna Tabassum to speak on campus. They join a growing number of college campuses nationwide.
What began as a peaceful demonstration has now escalated. Neither DPS nor USC has yet responded to requests for comment.
In a statement, the coalition said it intends to continue the occupation until its demands are met. These demands include a “complete academic boycott of Israel” and to “protect free speech on campus,” providing “full amnesty to all students, staff, and faculty disciplined, penalized, or fired for their pro-Palestine activism.”
Early Wednesday morning, student protestors hung signs listing their demands and referring to the space as a “liberated zone.” Soon after, Alumni Park was flooded with DPS officers and students, with DPS attempting to drive a car through the crowd as students blocked it.
In an Instagram post, the USC Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation called for community members to join them in telling USC that “we will not stand for complicity in genocide.” The post encouraged people to “bring your dogs, bring your kids. We are strong when we stand together.”
Editor’s note: A professor’s name was removed from this post after publication.