Police Arrests Pro-Palestinian Protestors at USC
On April 24, Police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Southern California after ordering the large crowd to disperse. The protesters, including students and off-campus participants, set up banners and pitched tents in USC’s Alumni Park. While the protest began with only a handful of attendees, a confrontation erupted when public safety officers moved in to remove tents, which are not allowed on the private university’s campus. “[The protesters’] actions have escalated to the point of confrontation and have threatened the safety of our officers and campus community,” said Andrew T. Guzman, USC’s senior vice president for Academic Affairs. He later issued a statement proclaiming the university “values freedom of expression” but added that it also has the “highest priority and responsibility is to protect the safety of our community and ensure our academic programs and university activities continue unabated.” This event at USC mirrors what many U.S. universities are currently experiencing: students protesting the ongoing war in Gaza. These demonstrations will continue until the U.S. government takes monumental action.
By: Pavithra Sankar
Photo Credit: The New York Times
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-campus-protests-47f4f7f0916a6493b79eede3e4d0a55d
