In her first university public statement following the April 24 protests, President Carol Folt emailed the Trojan Community about USC protest guidelines and the upcoming graduation for the class of 2024.
“USC has long-standing protocols that allow for peaceful protesting, and we have been working successfully with our community to ensure these rules have been followed at gatherings, protests, and vigils taking place all year,” the email read.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested at least 90 protestors, including over 50 members of the student body following their encampment in Alumni Park. Annenberg Media covered the entire protest and among the things that we reported were the 10-minute dispersal order and mass arrest.
Folt cited “buildings vandalized, DPS directives repeatedly ignored, threatening language shouted, people assaulted, and access to critical academic buildings blocked” as actions provoking LAPD “to protect our community.”
According to our previous coverage, Annenberg Media reported that “Police are arresting the silent, peaceful protestors one by one out of an arm-in-arm circle in the center of Alumni Park.”
The email also made statements like, “This week, Alumni Park became unsafe,” and “No one wants to have people arrested on their campus. Ever.”
Following her inauguration in 2019, Folt addressed her supportive views on student protests in an interview with Annenberg Media saying, “I really believe that if you’re at a university where students don’t protest sometimes, I don’t know what that university is.” The video has made rounds on social media following USC’s recent treatment of student protestors.
Once again Folt mentioned graduation activities to make up for the canceled main stage ceremony, but Annenberg Media has not been able to confirm what specific activities this includes.
A petition has been circulated online, calling for the reversal of the decision to cancel the 2024 main commencement ceremony, garnering over 1,000 signatures but there were no further changes to the commencement addressed in the message sent by Folt this afternoon.
The email also reiterated the university’s firm commitment against harassment and bullying and included a link to report any such cases on campus. “I assure you we will launch an inquiry and take action to protect all USC students, faculty and staff - no matter their views,” it read.