📌 PINNED
Elizabeth Kunz, Jonathan Park, David Rendon, Christina Chkarboul Nicholas Corral & Zachary Whalen; Talia Wexler, Eva Hartman, Nathan Elias, Jennifer Nehrer & Sasha Ryu from the newsroom; photos by Henry Kofman, Zongyi Wang, Marcus Heatherly, Jordan Renville, Sarah Ruiz, Maya Din, Marissa Ding, Joy Wang, Christina Chkarboul, Kate McQuarrie
A 200-person “Gaza Solidarity Occupation” at Alumni Park was cut short by a police clampdown and dozens of arrests.
- In a press conference Thursday, organizers said DPS and the Los Angeles Police Department turned what had been a peaceful protest violent, alleging that a DPS officer knelt on a student’s neck “for roughly 30 seconds.”
- More than 90 protesters were arrested for “trespassing” after Wednesday’s initial encampment protest.
- See the photos of the LAPD quashing the demonstration at Alumni Park.
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6:20 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Back to square one: Tents are up at Founders Park as protesters seek to resume their encampment demonstration, rejoining similar protests across the country that are still ongoing. Signs are taped to the tents, reading, “Free Palestine,” and “Demand USC divest from genocide.”
5:53 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer & Jonathan Park, Daily Trojan
USC will not allow “social events or disruptive activities” on campus during study days — which take place Saturday through Tuesday — and final exams, which take place from May 1-8. The email from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration on Friday also reiterated that the McCarthy Way, Watt Way and McClintock Avenue gates will be open during the daytime, with Watt Way closing at 7 p.m.
The announcement spells an uncertain future for the ongoing protest at Founders Park against USC’s ties to Israel, which has featured chants, speeches and marches throughout.
3:49 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
After weeks of silence, President Carol Folt released her first statement since USC’s decision to cancel Valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech — and then the main commencement ceremony in its entirety — and the backlash that ensued. The message comes after 93 protesters were arrested Wednesday night for protesting the University’s ties to Israel in a “Gaza Solidarity Occupation.”
“This week, Alumni Park became unsafe,” Folt wrote. “No one wants to have people arrested on their campus. Ever. But, when long-standing safety policies are flagrantly violated, buildings vandalized, DPS directives repeatedly ignored, threatening language shouted, people assaulted, and access to critical academic buildings blocked, we must act immediately to protect our community.”
The University “has long-standing protocols that allow for peaceful protesting,” Folt wrote, and the administration has been “working successfully with our community to ensure these rules have been followed at gatherings, protests, and vigils taking place all year.”
“The current pressures and polarization have taken a toll in ways that break my heart,” Folt wrote. “I know Trojans will do what they have always done: share points of view, listen, search for common ground – and find ways to support each other.”
3:34 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
A small group of about 50 people has begun marching down Trousdale Parkway.
2:01 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
After lunch and hearing from speakers, it is now time for prayer at Founders Park. As about 30 Muslim participants kneel on prayer rugs, 100 others who are not praying form a protective circle around them, holding signs reading, “While you’re learning, Rafah’s burning,” and, “Divest from Queer Death Without Exception.”
10:26 a.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
The University has now announced that three gates will remain open to students who present IDs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.: McCarthy Way, McClintock Avenue and Watt Way. Watt Way will close at 7 p.m. Non-students will only be allowed to enter if they present a ticket for an event.
APRIL 26, 2023 10:09 a.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
It appears a band of protesters has managed to make it through the night, and a list of activities for Friday has been published. Approximately 15-20 people remain in Founder’s Park.
10:43 p.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Department of Public Safety officers have entered Founders Park to record the names of any students who remain in the park.
DPS plans to ask students for their USC IDs and will photograph those who do not give their ID, to make a DPS report for the University to review and consider potential discipline.
Individuals who do not give their ID will be asked to leave campus, but DPS will not “physically” force them off campus.
7:49 p.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Officers from the Department of Public Safety have left Founders’ Park.
A DPS officer told the Daily Trojan that the student protesters would be able to stay overnight — provided they don’t sleep there.
7:21 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Die-in protesters said they intend to remain at Founders Park overnight.
Department of Public Safety officers at the scene announced that protestors are not allowed to have blankets on the lawn, but did not cite a specific University policy. When asked if there was such a policy in the Student Handbook, an officer told the Daily Trojan that they were actively searching for a related policy that they could enforce.
6:45 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Thursday morning, Jewish students arranged an empty Seder to raise awareness for the hostages in Gaza. Empty plates lined the table in front of the North Trousdale Entrance, with pictures of hostages taped to the chairs that surrounded them. There was also food available for students.
Students planned the dinner three weeks ago, but Sabrina Jahan, one of the event organizers and a senior majoring in business administration, said that the dinner was even more important given Wednesday’s pro-Palestinian protests.
“Many Jewish students on campus felt unsafe yesterday and terrified, because of the rhetoric that was being spread and the antisemitism that was being spread,” Jahan said. “The environment was absolutely one of peace, of unity of the family. It was really a healing experience for me after what I witnessed yesterday, having to stare into the eyes of people chanting for my death and the death of the Jewish state, which was appalling and something I thought unimaginable — especially on the USC campus.”
6:36 p.m.
Elizabeth Kunz, Breaking News Writer
The University has announced it will be limiting access to the campus to one entrance and one exit — the McCarthy Way and McClintock Avenue gates — beginning today at 7 p.m. and lasting until tomorrow at 6 a.m. Guests looking to attend an event on campus “must bring an ID and ticket,” the announcement read.
The Department of Public Safety said it could not confirm how long this policy will be in place.
4:42 p.m.
Elizabeth Kunz, Breaking News Writer
At around 4:25 p.m., organizers of the ongoing ‘die-in’ protest at Founders’ Park began chanting, calling out the University and President Carol Folt. Chants included, “Carol, Carol, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” and, “Money for staff and education, not for bombs and occupation.”
3:51 p.m.
Elizabeth Kunz, Breaking News Writer
The university has closed all entrances to campus even for students, except for the gates at McCarthy Way, McClintock Avenue and Royal Street. The Los Angeles Police Department is stationed at the open entrances, and these entrances are still only open to students.
At the closed entrances, students may exit but not enter.
The Department of Public Safety has also stationed cars around the die-in.
2:03 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Elizabeth Kunz & Zachary Whalen, Daily Trojan
Two Gaza Solidarity Occupation organizers, both students who chose not to disclose their identities for fear of retribution, addressed a group of reporters and answered questions in the group’s first public address since Wednesday’s all-day “Gaza Solidarity Occupation” at Alumni Park. The organizers said Department of Public Safety and Los Angeles Police Department officers “disrupted and escalated [their] peaceful protest … with inexplicable violence and egregious rights violations.”
Directing media attention to the “genocide of the people of Palestine” is a top priority for the coalition, the organizers said. They said the group will continue to speak out and demonstrate to “demand that USC is no longer complicit in this internationally recognized illegal occupation and genocide.”
(Christina Chkarboul / Daily Trojan)
12:30 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
The USC Gaza Solidarity Occupation will hold a press conference in five minutes in front of Rock and Reilly’s to “provide an overview of their platform” and give news outlets the chance to ask questions. The conference was originally set to be at Herbert Plaza, but was changed due to the Seder for hostages in Gaza taking place in the same location.
12:06 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
The USC Divest From Death Coalition will host a press conference at 1 p.m. at Gavin Herbert Plaza Thursday to “address the intentions and demands of our Gaza Solidarity Occupation.” The group wrote in its announcement of the conference that there would be “an opportunity for questions and answers.” The Daily Trojan will report live from the event.
APRIL 25, 2024 12:00 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
All 93 protesters who were arrested have been released, Jail Support LA announced at 11 a.m. this morning.
9:30 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
The University Park Campus “will remain closed to anyone without proper USC identification or verifiable business purpose, at least through the weekend,” the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration wrote in a communitywide email — “similar to our weeknight and weekend entry protocols.”
9:29 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
A section of Childs Way is still closed off as police process the remaining arrested protesters.
9:14 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Even the police are gone from Alumni Park. Reporters are also leaving. Only the trash, and a table from earlier with snacks and drinks, remains.
9:03 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Inside the Trousdale North Entrance, a swarm of police are looking out the locked gates, where roughly 100 protesters are still standing. Los Angeles Police Department officers are making more arrests.
Somewhere in the crowd, a drum continues to beat.
(Jonathan Park / Daily Trojan)
8:58 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Some of the protesters arrested are still here and are being escorted single file, their hands tied behind them with zip ties.
With those demonstrators taken away, all that’s left at Alumni Park is a group of some 50 police officers, a few reporters and trash strewn about on the lawn.
(Jonathan Park / Daily Trojan)
8:40 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Police are moving to arrest the remaining protesters, who had moved from Alumni Park to the stairs at Crow Center for International and Public Affairs.
8:17 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
At this point, all of the protesters that had been in that center circle have been arrested. When we last spoke to the LAPD, it had no information about how many were arrested and where they were taken.
It looks like police are looking to clear Trousdale Parkway and arrest the protesters still remaining.
6:44 p.m.
Bianca B. Arzán Montañez, Spanish Supplements Editor
Protesters are stepping forward one by one and standing with their arms behind their back at Alumni Park as they turn themselves over to Los Angeles Police Department officers.
6:40 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
An hour removed from the Department of Public Safety’s 10-minute warning, protesters and onlookers show no sign of leaving. On the steps of the Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs, stacks of water bottles, pizza and other snacks await those willing to stay.
(Jonathan Park / Daily Trojan)
6:36 p.m.
Nathan Elias, News Editor
UPC campus is closed, a TrojansAlert message read. Those who are on campus will be able to leave according to the alert.
6:26 p.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Another segment of about 50 protesters are blocking traffic at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Hoover Street. Department of Public Safety officers are telling individuals to leave Alumni Park via Trousdale North Entrance, which meets at the blocked intersection, or face arrest for trespassing.
(Sarah Ruiz / Daily Trojan)
6:19 p.m.
Nathan Elias, News Editor
Protesters remain with linked arms in the center of Alumni Park. Los Angeles Police Department officers have begun making arrests, and set up a booking table by Tommy Trojan.
Officers have been involved in physical altercations with protesters on the steps of the Crow Center for International and Public Affairs, where protesters had moved to avoid being arrested. A portion of the protesters have moved up Trousdale Parkway along DPS’ cleared path. Additional groups of LAPD officers have come from the south of campus to reinforce officers in Alumni Park.
5:58 p.m.
Nathan Elias, News Editor
Los Angeles Police Department officers are now moving down Trousdale Parkway to clear Alumni Park. LAPD will arrest people in Alumni Park who do not disperse, a TrojansAlert announcement read.
5:37 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
A helicopter overheard repeats the warning that those who remain in Alumni Park will be arrested for trespassing as Los Angeles Police Department officers enter with rubber bullet launchers, zip ties and tear gas.
Protesters are locking arms in anticipation of arrests as Department of Public Safety Chief Lauretta Hill’s 10 minute warning has run out. As some 100 remain on Alumni Park, the chants, including “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” ring out over and over again. About another 100, now watching on the sidelines, are chanting “Free, free, free Palestine” in support.
(Sasha Ryu / Daily Trojan)
5:26 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
At least 50 Los Angeles Police Department officers are moving onto campus and towards the protest with riot gear and rubber bullet launchers.
5:14 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
A Department of Public Safety vehicle has positioned itself facing the encampment. DPS Chief Lauretta Hill announced that protesters have 10 minutes to leave Alumni Park before they would be arrested and charged with criminal trespassing.
(Jonathan Park / Daily Trojan)
4:52 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
The greenery splitting Trousdale Parkway has emerged as a sort of border between the ongoing protest and pro-Israel spectators. Tensions were at risk of spilling over just now after a heated verbal altercation between a protestor and a spectator, though the argument did not escalate.
4:32 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Department of Public Safety officers confiscated multiple protesters’ belongings earlier in the afternoon, a source involved said, when the students initially refused to clear the area.
4:10 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Provost Andrew Guzman has given academic deans the discretion to decide whether to hold classes in person or move them online for the rest of the week, a University spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Daily Trojan.
Correction: A previous update misstated that all undergraduate classes have been moved online Thursday. There has been no Universitywide decision to move classes online at this point. This article was updated at 4:07 p.m. to reflect that academic deans have the discretion to move classes online or keep in-person classes for the rest of the week.
3:41 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
For several minutes now, the usual chants have rung: “Free, free, free Palestine.” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” “From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.” “Intifada revolution.
3:32 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Los Angeles Police Department officers stationed by the dozen at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and 36th Place have zip ties, batons and 40mm less-lethal launchers on hand. The latter use sponge baton rounds for crowd control.
(Christina Chkarboul / Daily Trojan)
3:15 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Department of Public Safety officers are now circling the perimeter of Alumni Park wearing helmets. Los Angeles Police Department officers appear to be heading to the site of the demonstration from off of the west side of campus.
3:09 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Department of Public Safety officers in Alumni Park are assembling a stronger perimeter around the site, moving north on campus.
2:24 p.m.
Talia Wexler, Breaking News Writer
“USC Hillel stands with Jewish students. While students have a right to protest, they do not have the right to intimidate or threaten Jewish students,” wrote Dave Cohn, Executive Director of USC Hillel and Rachel Cohen, Assistant Director of USC Hillel in an email Wednesday. “No student should feel unwelcome in their own campus home, and our Jewish students are telling us that these actions and this hostile rhetoric induce feelings of fear, terror, and instability.”
Cohn and Cohen also said they are calling upon Hillel’s campus partners to address instances of intimidation during the demonstration.
2:20 p.m.
Elizabeth Kunz, Breaking News Writer
2:20 p.m.
Eva Hartman, Magazine Editor
2:13 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
12:46 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Two TrojansAlert messages have been issued encouraging students to avoid the center of campus. Entrances to campus and USC Village are now limited to after-hours locations. Many campus buildings now require card access to enter or have officers stationed outside.
12:28 p.m.
Nathan Elias, News Section Editor
Protestors marched around Alumni Park, chanting “Free Palestine” and “Disclose, Divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.” Some are holding a series of signs in the park’s center that, together, read “LET GAZA LIVE.”
Department of Public Safety officers lined up around the lawn as the protesters chanted.
12:21 p.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Protesters largely returned to the park after the Department of Public Safety released the student from custody. They chanted “The people united will never be defeated.”
12:09 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Section Editor
Campus buildings, including the Student Union and the Alumni Center, are being locked after violence erupted at the demonstration.
12:01 p.m.
Elizabeth Kunz, Breaking News Writer
Department of Public Safety has released the student that they had previously taken into custody after shouts of “let him go” and protestors blockading the DPS car that he was being held in. As the student was released, protestors began to chant “The people united will never be defeated.”
11:54 a.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
DPS officers crossed Trousdale to Bovard Auditorium and entered the park. They seized multiple protester tents. Protesters have begun lifting tents off the ground and marching them around Alumni Park to prevent their seizure.
11:53 a.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Department of Public Safety officers appear to have detained one student in a DPS vehicle parked on Trousdale Parkway. Protesters have been blocking the vehicle from leaving with their bodies and chanting “Let him go.” There have been repeated physical altercations between protesters and DPS officers.
Los Angeles Police Department officers are on the scene and a helicopter is overhead but no LAPD officers have been seen interacting with protesters.
(Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
11:27 a.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Around 20 Department of Public Safety officers moved from Bovard Auditorium into the park, taking some tents from the park as some protesters lifted their tents off the ground to prevent their seizure.
DPS officers have now moved back across Trousdale to Bovard Auditorium.
(Henry Kofman / Daily Trojan)
11:12 a.m.
David Rendon, Breaking News Writer
The protestors have begun to set up canopies and tents with signs. Large numbers of DPS have gathered by Bovard Auditorium and are watching the event, protestors continue their speeches on megaphone.
“I’m proud of what you’re doing. I want to end on the message of solidarity,” said Viet Thanh Nguyen, Aerol Arnold Chair of English, at the encampment. “That we are not protesting only as individuals [but] as part of a collective, as part of a movement to defend people to defend Palestinians to defend Gaza.”
11:12 a.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Protesters have been informed by Department of Public Safety officers that there is an event scheduled at Alumni Park, though they did not give additional details. The Daily Trojan could not confirm the nature and time of the event.
Officers said organizers for the other event need to be able to set up in the park and offered the Trousdale North Entrance by USC Village as an alternative protest site.
10:17 a.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
Department of Public Safety officers have informed the protesters that the Student Handbook does not allow for amplified sound on campus.
The officers said if a megaphone is used again they will confiscate it. Protesters chanted “Free free Palestine” at the officers as they walked to the edge Alumni Park.
The Student Handbook says that amplified sound is that over 90 decibels when 50 feet from the source.
“To maintain the academic environment at the university, the use of amplified sound equipment in open areas must be approved by Trojan Event Services,” reads the handbook.
Protesters have begun using a megaphone again to lead chants.
(Nicholas Corral / Daily Trojan)
8:54 a.m.
Nathan Elias, News Section Editor
Department of Public Safety officers and protesters are now taking down their signs from trees and lampposts after an officer informed them that they had five minutes to begin taking down signs before DPS would remove them by force and confiscate them to be picked up at an unspecified later time.
7:38 a.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor & Henry Kofman, Deputy Photo Editor
Half an hour into the official start of the protest, Student Affairs is relaying through Department of Public Safety officers that protesters are not allowed to hang signs on trees, between trees, on lampposts or with poles stuck in the ground, and if not taken down willingly, they will be taken down by force. There are currently at least 17 signs hung from trees or lampposts. Demonstrators are allowed to hold signs by hand, the officers said.
7:27 a.m.
Nathan Elias, News Section Editor
Demonstrators posted an agenda of the day’s planned events at the encampment, including arts activities, discussions on topics including “Black x Palestinian Solidarity” and “Reporting on Palestine,” and a vigil as the day winds down.
(Zachary Whalen / Daily Trojan)
7:00 a.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
It’s a quiet morning so far at Alumni Park, as about 30 protesters are camping on a section of the lawn with tarps, blankets and signs tied to trees nearby. A pair of signs hanging on a rope reads: “GAZA SOLIDARITY OCCUPATION,” and “POPULAR UNIVERSITY for GAZA.” Another sign claims the area as a “Liberated Zone.”
So far, there are no tents or stakes on the ground — a stark contrast from other encampment protests we’ve seen so far.
We’re seeing a few people with hats reading “National Lawyers Guild Legal Observers.” DPS presence has scaled down from earlier this morning, with just one vehicle and two officers standing by at a distance.
