The latest at USC – and how AIM is demanding accountability
May 9, 2024
The encampment at USC has been cleared – but will it return, as others have?
Police in Los Angeles have cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California (USC).
Officers in riot gear moved into the site early on Sunday, as USC warned those who did not leave that they could be arrested, according to CBS.
The background is that the graduation ceremony was canceled as a result of the demonstrations.
The University of Southern California’s decision Thursday to cancel its main graduation ceremony, a move that came 10 days after administrators said the student valedictorian who had expressed support for Palestinians would not be allowed to speak, left students and alumni stunned as protests over the Israel-Hamas war continue to spread on campuses nationwide.
That’s an entire graduating class who will miss out because of the actions of a small number of students.
In an announcement on Sunday, USC President Carol Folt said the school’s Department of Public Safety and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) “removed the occupiers who had rebuilt their illegal encampment in Alumni Park.”
“The occupiers repeatedly chose to ignore university policies designed to benefit everyone, and to break the law. We needed to act quickly to protect the rights of our 80,000 students, staff, and faculty. We are in the critical period from the end-of-term quiet study week, through finals and our commencement ceremonies,” Folt wrote.
The “benefit everyone” is a crucial line. There always is a balance to be struck.
USC is preparing for graduation ceremonies Tuesday after a pro-Palestinian encampment was cleared by officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and the university’s Department of Public Safety, ending a high-profile demonstration that began in April.
USC announced Monday that “the University Park Campus is now open to students, faculty, staff, registered guests and known vendors with confirmation of work.”
So now folks can go about their lawful business again.
USC resumed classes and continued graduation preparations Monday after a pro-Palestinian encampment was cleared
Students can even go back to gaining the education they’re paying for again.
This is unlikely to be the end of it but that a place of education becomes, again, a place of education seems like a good idea.
Accuracy in Media is paying the University of Southern California a visit with our mobile billboard in tow. While clearing the encampment is a step in the right direction, USC President Carol Folt has shown she is unable to end antisemitism on campus.
Take action now – with one click, send a message to the Board of Trustees at USC. Tell them it is time to hold Folt accountable.