Anti-Israel Protesters Dispersing at USC After Police Warning

By Hamodia Staff

Anti-Israel demonstrators at the University of Southern California began dismantling their encampment early Sunday following warnings from police that they could face arrest. The move occurred just days before commencement events were scheduled to start on the Los Angeles campus. Campus safety officers, with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department, informed protesters that failure to comply with the clearance order could lead to arrest.

Livestream footage from student journalists depicted the encampment clearing out as police formed a line to disperse remaining protesters and prevent re-entry into the area. The encampment had resumed after the LAPD initially arrested 93 people on April 24. While the atmosphere on the private university campus had largely remained calm, attention shifted to arrests at other institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles.

At the University of Virginia, 25 people were arrested for trespassing after police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters, while demonstrators at the University of Michigan voiced anti-Israel sentiments during commencement ceremonies. USC has faced student protests over the conflict in Gaza and its decision to cancel a commencement speech by a Muslim valedictorian who expressed solidarity with the Palestinians. The university cited safety concerns following threats, a move that drew criticism from some Jewish groups.