Police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Southern California when students stormed a police car with a detained activist inside and refused to move.
Authorities broke up a tent demonstration on the Los Angeles campus after students started their own camp in Gaza on Wednesday.
The video shows police pulling out their batons as they detained a protester wearing a neon green vest and a black mask, while others surrounded them and tried to intervene.
The pro-Palestinian activists shouted “shame on you” and “let him go” repeatedly at the officers as they carried him to the police vehicle.
Unable to move his car, the police released the detainee, who then greeted the protesters to indicate that they should return to the park.
Police detained one protester wearing a neon green vest and a black mask, while others surrounded them and tried to intervene.
Pro-Palestinian activists shouted “shame on you” and “let him go” repeatedly at officers as they carried him to the police vehicle.
Protesters threw objects at officers sent to disperse them, including a rock, water bottles and water, he reported. NBC Los Angeles.
The protesters indicated that they have no intention of leaving, joining arms to create a human chain and continuing their chants.
USC sent out a notification that the Los Angeles Police Department responded to help clear the campus around 5:50 pm PT on Wednesday.
‘If you are in the center of campus, please leave; “LAPD will arrest individuals who do not disperse,” the university said.
USC Chancellor Andrew Guzman sent a campus-wide email saying protesters “threatened the safety of our officers and the university community,” he reported. Los Angeles Times.
‘We have well-established policies on limits on the time, place and form of free expression. These include the prohibition of erecting tents or other camps, the use of loudspeakers, signs on poles or stakes and the interruption of classes and other essential functions of the university,’ Guzmán said.
‘[Protesters were] Security personnel repeatedly asked them to remove their tents and other prohibited items, as well as to move to a location that complied with the regulations. In each case, the protesters refused. “His actions have escalated to the point of confrontation and have threatened the safety of our officers and the university community.”
Unable to move his car, the police released the detainee, who then greeted the protesters to indicate that they should return to the park.
USC sent notification that the Los Angeles Police Department has been hired to assist with campus cleanup.
The protests come just over a week after the university announced its decision to ban its valedictorian from speaking at this year’s graduation on May 10.
Asna Tabassum, 21, was banned for openly expressing her support for Palestinians, which has led to her being labeled an anti-Semite.
The decision was met with fury on campus: Her fellow students accused the university of censorship and 130 professors signed a letter demanding to hear her speak at graduation.
Pro-Gaza groups occupied universities across the United States and clashed with police and Jewish counterprotesters, and on Wednesday angry protesters were seen at the University of Texas at Austin, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Brown and New York University.
The demonstration on the Austin campus was organized by the university’s Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSJ) chapter and quickly descended into anarchy.
The group said it was inspired by its ‘comrades’ at Yale and Columbia University, where in-person classes have been canceled due to unrest sparked by the ‘Gaza camps.’
Police arrested at least four activists, who burst into tears as they were handcuffed after warning them they could face criminal charges if they did not disperse.
A photographer covering the rally for the local Fox affiliate, Fox 7 Austin, was among those arrested after becoming caught in a tug-of-war between law enforcement and students.
Trying to get ahead of the protests, Harvard University closed most of the gates to its famous Harvard Yard before classes on Monday and limited access to those with school IDs.
Authorities broke up a tent demonstration on the Los Angeles campus after students started their own camp in Gaza.
USC security officers attempt to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters and tear down tents
Protesters threw objects at officers sent to disperse them, including a rock, water bottles and water.
The school also posted signs warning against setting up tents or tables on campus without permission. Those efforts did not stop protesters from setting up a 14-tent camp on Wednesday, following a demonstration against the university’s suspension of the Harvard Undergraduate Palestinian Solidarity Committee.
The situation at Columbia University in New York City remained tense and campus officials said they would continue talks with pro-Palestinian protesters for another 48 hours.
University President Minouche Shafik had set a midnight deadline to reach an agreement on clearing a protester encampment on campus, but the school extended negotiations, saying it was making “significant progress.”
The student protesters had committed to dismantling and removing a significant number of tents, the Ivy League university said in a statement.
On Wednesday morning, the camp seemed quiet and a little smaller than the day before.