(Jordan Renville / Daily Trojan)
📌 PINNED
Christina Chkarboul, Nicholas Corral, Sasha Ryu, Eva Hartman, Nathan Elias, Elizabeth Kunz, Jennifer Nehrer, Talia Wexler, Zachary Whalen & Jonathan Park reporting; photos by Henry Kofman, Zongyi Wang, Jordan Renville, Kate McQuarrie & Joy Wang
DPS and LAPD cleared the Gaza Solidarity Occupation after 11 days.
- Thursday afternoon marked 200 hours since the encampment at Alumni Park first began, on April 24. (Not all of those 200 hours saw a continuous protest: The Los Angeles Police Department swept the first encampment the same day, and protesters restablished tents on the evening of April 25.)
- Bag checks have begun at UPC, where the McCarthy Way and McClintock Avenue entrances are open.
- Fifty-one of the 93 arrested for “trespassing” on April 24 were students, President Carol Folt confirmed at an Academic Senate meeting Wednesday. Student protesters who were arrested received an email saying their “alleged conduct” would be “referred to the University’s disciplinary process.”
- L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia wrote that he was “alarmed by the USC administration’s response to peaceful on-campus protests organized by USC students” in a statement addressed to President Carol Folt Tuesday night, adding that USC not only risks “potential harm to students” but also expends “scarce City tax dollars and resources” in calling on the LAPD.
- Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman answered questions at a webinar-style Academic Senate meeting Wednesday afternoon. Folt defended the decisions to cancel the valedictory address and main stage commencement, as well as to call in Los Angeles Police Department officers at the initial demonstration April 24. Guzman rejected claims that pressure from donors influenced the University’s decisions. Folt also said the University was not, “at the present time,” moving forward with disciplinary action for student protesters arrested April 24.
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May 6, 2024 6:16 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
At 2:20 p.m., at least four officers from the Department of Public Safety handcuffed and detained a student at USC Village who was protesting the University’s “obstruction of free speech in the false name of safety.”
Students who witnessed the incident began arguing with officers about why DPS detained the protester in the first place.
DPS did not immediately respond to the Daily Trojan‘s requests for comment.
(Kate McQuarrie / Daily Trojan)
May 6, 2024 5:45 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
Members of the Baldwin Park Police Department are currently on campus guarding Tommy Trojan. Baldwin Park is a city in Los Angeles County located 20 miles away from USC.
A DPS spokesperson told the Daily Trojan that officers from the BPPD came to the University as “part of a state-wide regional law enforcement assistance program,” to help the Department of Public Safety “keep campus safe and secure.”
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 5, 2024 7:23 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
At least 12 student protesters received interim or full suspensions from the University, a media liaison from the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation” told the Daily Trojan on Sunday evening.
Several student protesters who are USC Housing residents were told they have until 5 p.m. Monday to pack their items and leave, according to a student protester who requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
The University could not immediately respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment.
Correction: A previous version of this update misattributed the source that claimed some student protesters were told to pack their items and leave USC Housing to a media liaison of the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation.” The update was revised May 5 at 7:37 p.m. to reflect that a student protester was the source of the information. The Daily Trojan regrets this error.
May 5, 2024 4:48 p.m.
Eva Hartman, Breaking News Writer
Students and faculty who were present at the encampment early Sunday morning are being barred from entering campus. Though no arrests were made, their student ID numbers, driver’s license information and home addresses were recorded as the Department of Public Safety and Los Angeles Police Department dispersed the protest at Alumni Park.
At this time, it is unclear if the ban also applies to those arrested at the initial encampment April 24.
Several faculty members, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, alleged that restrictions placed on their entrances were not related to arrest status and had more to do with their race and ethnicity.
May 5, 2024 1:20 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
President Carol Folt released a statement around noon stating that it was necessary to utilize the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Public Safety to clear the Gaza Solidarity Occupation encampment, stating that the dismantling of the encampment was “peaceful.” Folt stated that the encampment was “spiraling in a dangerous direction” with campus property being defaced and stolen, students on Trousdale Parkway being harassed by protesters, and finals being disrupted by noise. The Daily Trojan could not immediately confirm these allegations.
May 5, 2024 6:27 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
The University Park Campus remains closed, a TrojansAlert message announced.
Facilities Planning and Management workers are in Alumni Park packing debris and blankets into trucks for disposal.
May 5, 2024 5:55 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
LAPD vans and transport vehicles have left Hahn Plaza, though some officers remain on the scene.
May 5, 2024 5:33 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
LAPD and DPS officers have largely cleared the encampment. Both LAPD and DPS officers as well as protesters appear to have left Alumni Park. We have not seen anyone arrested yet.
Some barricade materials and an umbrella remain from the encampment in the park by Doheny Memorial Library.
May 5, 2024 5:21 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
LAPD and DPS officers are disassembling tents and canopies in Alumni Park, but have not found or arrested anyone from the tents at this time.
May 5, 2024 5:18 a.m.
Nathan Elias, News Editor
The University Park Campus is closed, a TrojansAlert message announced.
“People who don’t leave will be arrested,” the message read.
May 5, 2024 5:10 a.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Some LAPD officers pushed protesters off campus by the Trousdale North Entrance, locking the gate afterward.
May 5, 2024 5:04 a.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Chanting “Arrest, attack, we do not care we will be back, protesters gathered outside the Trousdale North Entrance are marching past USC Village.
May 5, 2024 5:00 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
Officers are entering the encampment.
May 5, 2024 4:36 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
LAPD officers issued a dispersal order to the encampment, although it seems to have been largely inaudible in the noise of Alumni Park.
Protesters who do not leave the park “could be arrested,” a TrojansAlert message announced.
May 5, 2024 4:27 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
LAPD officers have encircled Alumni Park. Protesters are chanting “Free Palestine,” “From the River to the Sea” and “Disclose, Divest.”
Officers seem to be allowing protesters to leave to the north.
May 5, 2024 4:15 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
At least 50 LAPD officers are moving down Trousdale Parkway and surrounding Alumni Park.
Three police vans that appear to be used for transporting people who have been arrested are parking in Hahn Plaza.
May 5, 2024 4:10 a.m.
Nick Corral, Assistant News Editor
At least four Los Angeles Police Department transports have arrived on campus from the south. Over 50 LAPD officers are on campus.
Department of Public Safety officers are also assembling in the area. Officers have zip ties and less-lethal launchers, and are wearing helmets.
May 3, 2024 7:15 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
USC announced it has officially begun disciplinary review processes for those “who have violated both our policies and the law,” according to a Universitywide email from President Carol Folt Friday evening. The Daily Trojan reported that those who had been arrested on April 24 received email notice of this update Thursday afternoon.
Folt wrote in the email that measures are now being taken to “ensure students finish their finals in a quiet, safe academic environment – and that our graduating students can enjoy peaceful and joyous commencement ceremonies worthy of their accomplishments.” Final exams will end May 8, and some commencement ceremonies will begin the same day.
“The university is legally obligated to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can move freely throughout our campus while pursuing their studies, work, and research,” the email read. “Every part of our campuses, including Alumni Park, must be fully accessible and free from vandalism and harassment.”
May 3, 2024 5:26 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
USC is pausing visitor registration to access campus, a TrojansAlert message announced. Those who have already registered guests will still be allowed to bring them onto campus. It is unclear when the pause will end or how this will affect students moving out.
“The UPC campus is very busy with events and construction work to prepare for commencement,” the alert read.
May 3, 2024 2:34 a.m.
Eva Hartman & Sasha Ryu, Daily Trojan
“You fucking Zionist pig,” a student yelled while passing by the group of counterprotesters.
“Stop listening to terrorists groups,” a counterprotester responded.
The counterprotesters then started chanting, “Antisemite! Antisemite!” as the student walked away.
May 3, 2024 2:28 a.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
Counterprotesters are singing, dancing and clapping along to electronic music playing from their speakers.
May 3, 2024 2:23 a.m.
Eva Hartman, Magazine Editor
The counterprotesters claim to not be affiliated with any campus group, but rather identify themselves as “concerned Jewish students” who are present tonight to “bring to light the atrocities that happened on Oct. 7,” one counterprotester said an interview with the Daily Trojan. All spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of their safety.
The film they are showing is body cam footage filmed Oct. 7 by Hamas militants, the counterprotester said.
“We’re so tired of hearing, ‘Intifada, Intifada,’ because we know people who died on buses in the intifada,” they said. “A lot of people in the encampment have no direct connection to this and a lot of us know people who died who are have had family that has died on Oct. 7.”
A second counterprotester said they believed “much of the cause [the encampment protesters are] supporting is antithetical to human rights.”
Even among a group of about 25, the energy was palpable.
“We will win in the public,” one protester said, standing on a bench. “We will win in the tunnels, and we will win in our land.”
The First Amendment issues that have plagued campuses across the nation were also a hot topic.
“We support free speech. We support the betterment of all people, Israelis and Palestinians,” another counterprotester said. “What we don’t support is harassment of students.”
May 3, 2024 2:21 a.m.
Eva Hartman, Magazine Editor
Another text-to-speech message being broadcast over the speakers says the counterprotesters “are still not leaving,” and will remain until 7 a.m.
The encampment protesters clapped.
“You support a brutal terrorist organization that rapes women and kills babies,” the message continued. “We are still not leaving.”
Then music resumed.
May 3, 2024 1:48 a.m.
Eva Hartman & Sasha Ryu, Daily Trojan
In between clips from Oct. 7, speakers broadcast the message, “Attention, antisemites, we are not leaving.”
Protesters in the encampment are responding by playing jazz music from their own speakers.
May 3, 2024 1:44 a.m.
Eva Hartman & Sasha Ryu, Daily Trojan
There are two DPS cars here, five officers observing.
Pro-Israel counterprotesters have set up a projector outside the encampment and started playing footage from Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
DPS officers refused to speak to the Daily Trojan when asked if they would enforce the University’s projected noise policy.
May 3, 2024 1:06 a.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
About a dozen counterprotesters are standing by the encampment, blasting “The Star-Spangled Banner” on a set of speakers.
May 2, 2024 9:17 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
The University sent out an email Thursday evening warning student protesters who were arrested for criminal trespassing on April 24 that the “alleged conduct” leading to their arrests would be “referred to the University’s disciplinary process.”
On May 1, at a meeting with the Academic Senate, President Carol Folt said that, of the 93 people arrested on April 24, 51 were students participating in the USC Divest from Death Coalition’s ongoing “Gaza Solidarity Occupation.”
If the students arrested on the 24th continue to violate the University’s policies against “camping, amplified sound, defying DPS directives, vandalism, harassment, bullying, and theft of property,” they will face “further discipline up to expulsion as well as an immediate ban from campus.”
May 2, 2024 8:51 p.m.
Sasha Ryu, News Editor
Protesters linked arms and formed a line to block off the two entrances to the encampment after Kevin Zanella, a video and streaming supervisor for Trojan Event Services, came to Alumni Park Wednesday night and began filming student organizers with a large camera.
According to a media liaison from the USC Divest from Death Coalition, Zanella came to the park earlier Wednesday afternoon and proceeded to enter the encampment and film inside students’ tents. The Coalition’s safety team responded by trying to contain Zanella to “one spot,” but he evaded the team and continued to film while encircling the encampment.
After Zanella returned to the encampment Wednesday around 11:30 p.m., protesters blocked off the entrances to the park and began chanting, “Kevin, Kevin’s gotta go / He takes pictures, we say no” and “Kevin, Kevin please just leave / You are acting like a creep.”
Shortly after, Zanella left.
“We can’t rely on DPS, USC or the LAPD to keep us safe, so we have to keep each other safe,” the media liaison said.
Zanella did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment.
May 2, 2024 6:04 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
USC will hold a “Trojan Family Graduate Celebration” at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum May 9, a communitywide message announced Thursday afternoon. The event will kick off the “three days and nights” of commencement ceremonies, the message read, though some take place May 8.
Each graduate will be able to reserve up to six tickets, which are available to “graduates and their families and loved ones” according to the message. The Marshall School of Business also announced Thursday that the school will hold its commencements in the Coliseum on May 10.
“Count on drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances, the Trojan Marching Band, and a special gift just for the Class of 2024,” the message read. The announcement comes eight days after USC canceled its main stage commencement ceremony and said it was planning new activities.
Though President Carol Folt said at an Academic Senate meeting Wednesday that the Coliseum was booked May 10, preventing USC from moving the main stage ceremony, the message read that multiple groups “adjusted their plans” to make space for the new event on part of the Coliseum.
May 2, 2024 12:01 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Bag checks have begun at UPC, where the McCarthy Way and McClintock Avenue entrances are open. Students who enter campus through McClintock Avenue are being directed to a second stage of entry at Watt Way for their bag checks, though it appears some are able to avoid this stage and walk straight into campus.
May 2, 2024 9:18 a.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
About 20 DPS officers lined the perimeter of the encampment roughly an hour ago armed with zip ties and helmets, according to posts from the USC Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation’s Instagram account. A Daily Trojan reporter confirmed that officers have since left the area.
May 2, 2024 2:08 a.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Pro-Israel students set up a projector and played a documentary aloud outside the encampment about the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7. They have since packed up and left.
May 1, 2024 9:20 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
The two entrances to University Park Campus have reopened to students, faculty and registered guests, per a TrojansAlert message.
May 1, 2024 8:54 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
DPS officers confiscated what they called “tent-making materials” that protesters were bringing to the encampment. Officers said the confiscation was due to “suspicion of a crime,” and they could pick up their property in the morning if they presented a student ID. Officers took two carts and a large box.
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 8:47 p.m.
Zachary Whalen & Jonathan Park, Daily Trojan
The May Day protesters at the Trousdale North Entrance have now also disbanded.
People are being allowed onto campus again.
May 1, 2024 8:39 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Back at the encampment, a screening of “Primera” (2021), a documentary that follows two parent activists amid a democratic revolution in Chile, is about to begin.
The two DPS cars that were at Alumni Park have left to stand by the Trousdale North Entrance.
May 1, 2024 8:34 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
A small group of encampment protesters has left to join the May Day group at the Trousdale North Entrance.
May 1, 2024 8:26 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, Jonathan Park & Zachary Whalen, Daily Trojan
The May Day protest has dispersed at Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, but some have headed to the Trousdale North Entrance to “make some noise,” an organizer said.
(Zachary Whalen / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 8:17 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Four DPS cars, two with headlights on, have driven up to two corners of the encampment.
May 1, 2024 8:15 p.m.
Jonathan Park, Digital Managing Editor
Video shows more than 100 people passing by campus in the May Day protest convoy, which is currently at Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, per a TrojansAlert sent at 8:06 p.m.
(Sage Wheeler)
May 1, 2024 7:57 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Protesters are lining the perimeter of Alumni Park with metal barricades.
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 7:38 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Protesters pose with two painted banners as “Ana Dami Falastini,” a song by Mohammed Assaf that has served as an anthem for the Palestinian cause, plays from a set of speakers at the encampment.
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 7:31 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer & Jonathan Park, Daily Trojan
Heads are turning at the encampment as chanting from the passing May Day protest can be heard from Alumni Park. Some small groups are heading to the Trousdale North Entrance to watch.
Meanwhile, several LAPD cars are in line to enter campus again.
May 1, 2024 7:27 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Campus is temporarily closed for the evening to bar a passing May Day protest from accessing the grounds, according to a TrojansAlert.
May 1, 2024 7:25 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
A DPS officer told a Daily Trojan reporter who lives on campus that he is not allowed to enter.
May 1, 2024 7:20 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Protesters are drawing on the pavement surrounding Alumni Park with sidewalk chalk.
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 7:14 p.m.
Henry Kofman, David Rendon, Jennifer Nehrer & Jonathan Park, Daily Trojan
Chaos and confusion reigns at the McCarthy Way entrance, where dozens of people were held outside the gates for about 10 minutes before finally being let in. Mixed messages are making it unclear if students are allowed in or out.
A DPS officer said they are instating a lockdown and are trying not to let anyone in.
At McCarthy Way, a professor could be heard shouting at DPS officers, asking if they would take responsibility for his students’ grades.
May 1, 2024 7:04 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Some protesters have made a long sign reading “30K KILLED, BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!” with red handprints on it.
(Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 6:53 p.m.
Nathan Elias, News Section Editor
Effective Thursday, all entry points to University Park Campus will now include student, staff and faculty ID scanning, as well as bag checks, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration announced in a communitywide message Wednesday evening. Those wearing face coverings will be made to pull them down for identification.
USC will have three entry points to campus:
- McCarthy Way and Figueroa Street
- Watt Way and 34th Street
- McClintock Street and Childs Way
Additionally, UPC parking garages will be open. Entry to UPC is also now limited to students, faculty, staff, registered guests and known vendors with confirmation of work.
May 1, 2024 6:20 p.m.
Nicholas Corral, Assistant News Editor
In a statement to the press, the faculty group expressed its support for student safety and condemned restrictions on political speech.
It also called into question the administration’s commitment to diversity and equity in light of the University’s decision to cancel Asna Tabassum’s valedictorian speech due to “unspecified security threats.”
The faculty expressed solidarity with the academic departments at the University that have written and signed letters condemning the administration’s response to the ongoing protests.
The statement also accused the University’s security measures of disrupting University activities and missions.
“We express our unequivocal support to our students whose passion for justice and curiosity about our world should be regarded and rewarded and honored fully by our University,” said Devin Griffiths, an associate professor of English and comparative literature.
Faculty called for a commitment not to call police to campus and to shared governance.
May 1, 2024 5:27 p.m.
Zachary Whalen, Breaking News Writer
Faculty protestors have gathered at the Trousdale North Entrance, where they are stating their reasons for protesting to outside media on the other side of the gates.
(Zachary Whalen / Daily Trojan)
May 1, 2024 3:00 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
To rebuild trust among faculty, Folt said she would “continue to try to do the things that are going well” — pointing to the dedication of the Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs and Felix Field — as well as listen to community concerns and “find points of unity.”
“Even having a webinar, unfortunately, where you don’t even get to talk to us directly is a start in that, and we absolutely will find new ways to talk to people face to face,” Folt said.
May 1, 2024 2:50 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
On alternatives to hosting a main stage commencement on campus, Folt said the University could not move the ceremony to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum because it was already reserved.
Folt also said USC cancelled the ceremony to preserve campus safety and to “prevent explosive events like last night” — referring to the clash between Pro-Palestine demonstrators and pro-Israel counter-protesters at UCLA late Tuesday night, at which counter-protesters threw fireworks at the encampments. The administration deemed it unfeasible, Folt said, to bring 65,000 people to campus for the mainstage commencement through gates and stringent security within a relatively narrow time window.
May 1, 2024 2:44 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
A faculty member asked the administrators whether the University would pledge not to call in the LAPD and DPS to interrupt future demonstrations without recorded incidents of violence. In response, Folt said she could not commit to any course of action based on unspecified future protests.
May 1, 2024 2:39 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
President Folt confirmed that the University has not, “at the present time,” moved forward with disciplinary action against the students arrested after the initial April 24 demonstration.
May 1, 2024 2:37 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
To help “de-escalate” the demonstration in its early stages, President Folt said she wishes she had gotten personally involved on the ground to speak to the student organizers.
“If I were to think about one thing I wish I’d have done … I would have gone out there myself and tried to talk to students,” Folt said. “I don’t know why I didn’t because I almost always do.”
May 1, 2024 2:34 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
On bringing the Los Angeles Police Department in to disperse the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation,” President Folt said she agreed to have the officers there at the start because “it looked like that would really spiral out.”
“I know, in order to keep people safe, many people felt less safe,” Folt said.
May 1, 2024 2:32 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
President Folt apologized that the aftermath of Tabassum’s speech cancellation has “superseded” the focus on commencement and achievement of “highly accomplished students.”
“If you truly feel as I did, and I still do, that the choice to put people at risk was the most important one. Even though, very sadly, I knew people would be very upset about it, I had to make it,” Folt said. “I’d probably still make that decision.”
May 1, 2024 2:27 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Provost Andrew Guzman rebutted claims that pressure from University donors influenced the administration’s decision-making.
May 1, 2024 2:22 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
Provost Andrew Guzman has taken over to deliver opening remarks before the meeting enters a question-and-answer session. On the decision to cancel the valedictory address, Guzman said an “unprecedented influx” of comments following the announcement that Tabassum would be the Class of 2024 valedictorian marked a “real” security threat against Tabassum and the commencement ceremony.
“We concluded that the only decision we could make would be to not follow the tradition of having the valedictorian speech commencement,” Guzman said. “There’s reason to believe that what we saw and safety concerns at that time have proven themselves to be even more present than was evident at the time.”
Guzman said the University administration has not revealed the “blow-by-blow” security threat and reasoning that led to the speech cancellation because doing so would “change the nature or the valence of that security situation.”
May 1, 2024 2:18 p.m.
Christina Chkarboul, Associate Managing Editor
In a virtual, webinar-style Academic Senate Executive Board meeting, President Carol Folt is addressing faculty members — many of whom are gathered at Wallis Annenberg Hall to watch — about the cancellation of Asna Tabassum’s valedictory speech and the police response to the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation.”
“We’ll try to give you our best thoughts about what was happening at the time,” Folt said. “I deeply care about the faculty, the staff and everyone but … at the center, [there] has to be a real focus on the students.”
May 1, 2024 12:59 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
An Accuracy in Media billboard truck with images of President Carol Folt and Valedictorian Asna Tabassum was spotted Wednesday morning on Jefferson Boulevard. The truck’s screens displayed a photo of Tabassum with the caption, “USC: the only university where you win an award for antisemitism,” and a link along the bottom to a webpage declaring Tabassum to be the “University of Southern California’s Leading Antisemite.”
“USC students promote genocide and face no consequences. USC faculty members endorse hate and face no consequences,” the webpage reads. “t’s time for USC President Carol Folt to face some consequences.” The webpage includes a link to “Take Action Against Folt and Antisemitism at USC!” which directs to a website claiming “USC Hates Jews” containing a field where users can send a message to the USC Board of Trustees.
One side of the truck featured a second display with a picture of Folt. “Carol Folt, it’s time to resign,” the display read. Below was another link to the website containing the message box for USC Board of Trustees.
Accuracy in Media is a conservative media group that, according to its website, uses “investigative journalism and cultural activism to expose corruption and hold bad public policy actors accountable.” The group made national headlines for a similar “doxxing truck” deployed at Harvard University in October making claims of antisemitism against student supporters of Palestine.
May 1, 2024 11:27 a.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
The Annenberg Faculty Council wrote that it stands “in solidarity with those peacefully assembled on our university campus” in an open letter to the Annenberg community released Wednesday morning. “We write to unequivocally support our students’ right to freedom of expression,” the letter read.
“Universities stand as bastions of knowledge, nurturing independent thought and fostering an open exchange of ideas,” the council wrote. “Indeed, as a school of communication and journalism, we teach and encourage our students to engage in robust and vigorous debate, and to put their principles into practice by engaging in the great issues of the day.
“The undersigned faculty also wrote that they “empathize” with current seniors whose main stage commencement ceremony was canceled and that they do not wish to take a political stance in writing the letter.
“Our intention is not to stifle student voices, but to convey our solidarity and alignment with their belief that universities are sanctuaries for uninhibited dialogue and free exchange of ideas. In challenging times, it is essential that we speak up and support each other. This letter serves as a testament to that commitment.”
APRIL 30, 2024 11:34 p.m.
Jennifer Nehrer, News Assignments Editor
Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia released a statement late Tuesday rebuking USC and President Carol Folt’s response to protests on campus.
“We are alarmed by the USC administration’s response to peaceful on-campus protests organized by USC students,” the statement read. “Students’ right to free speech and assembly must be protected … We urge you to refrain from using armed officers to suppress peaceful student protest.”
Student activism is “part of a rich tradition” that “propels the national conversation on critical issues of human rights and social justice,” Mejia wrote.
“Please bear in mind,” Mejia wrote, “that every time you request the involvement of LAPD to arrest peaceful student protestors, not only do you risk potential harm to students, but you also expend scarce City tax dollars and resources.”
