The University of Southern California recently canceled its main stage graduation ceremony due to safety concerns amidst ongoing protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Over 90 protesters were arrested on campus, with the Los Angeles Police Department reporting 90 arrests for trespassing and one for assault with a deadly weapon. As a result, schools across the country are facing disruptions as protests continue to escalate, with students demanding divestment from companies supporting the conflict. At USC, tensions were already high after a planned commencement speech by the pro-Palestinian valedictorian was canceled for safety reasons.
Emerson College in Boston also faced a similar situation with 108 people arrested at an alleyway encampment, while new protests and encampments emerged at campuses nationwide. School officials are concerned that ongoing protests could impact May commencement ceremonies as students protest financial ties with Israel, leading to accusations of antisemitism from some Jewish students. At USC, scuffles with police, including the detainment of a few dozen demonstrators, culminated in the cancellation of classes and the closure of the campus as tensions escalated. Students were charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct following the protests.
At the University of Texas at Austin, dozens of protesters were aggressively detained by officers, leading to 57 arrests for criminal trespass. Dane Urquhart, a student at the university, criticized the police response as an overreaction and emphasized that the protest would have remained peaceful if the officers had not intervened forcefully. Similarly, Emory University in Atlanta experienced a police crackdown on protesters, with some officers using stun guns and semiautomatic weapons. At least 17 people were detained, handcuffed with zip ties, and placed in a police transport van.
Some colleges, such as Harvard University, chose not to take immediate action against protesters who set up tents, while others, like Northwestern University, swiftly changed their student code of conduct to prohibit tents on campus. The recent wave of protests was sparked by events at Columbia University in New York, where police arrested over 100 people last week. Columbia plans to continue negotiations with protesters, while other universities deal with ongoing demonstrations and disruptions as graduation ceremonies approach. The heightened tensions on campuses nationwide illustrate the complex challenges faced by schools in managing protests and maintaining safety amidst escalating conflicts.
