Approximately 60 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested at the University of Southern California (USC) campus in Los Angeles during a protest. The protesters, part of a nationwide wave of campus demonstrations regarding the Israel-Hamas war, had gathered to protest the university’s decision to cancel valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s graduation speech, citing security concerns due to online backlash over her pro-Palestinian views.
The protest began peacefully but escalated as demonstrators allegedly breached barriers and refused to disperse, leading to the arrests by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). USC officials stated that the decision to call in law enforcement was made after the situation became unmanageable and disruptive.
The arrests followed heightened tensions on campus in the wake of the valedictorian speech cancellation. USC’s decision sparked controversy and accusations of censorship and anti-Palestinian bias. University officials maintained that the decision was solely for safety reasons and not a reflection of Tabassum’s views. The incident has fueled further debate regarding free speech, academic freedom, and the handling of politically charged issues on college campuses. Protests continue on and off campus.
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