Violent, pro-Hamas protests erupted at universities across the US on Wednesday after Columbia University was shut down and forced to go online due to pro-Palestinian riots.
Chaos erupted at the University of Southern California (USC) campus on Wednesday as pro-Hamas protestors tried to set up an encampment.
BREAKING: @USC students and staff stage Pro-Palestinian encampment in center of campus pic.twitter.com/HsqvGF3Qmm
— Jacob Wheeler (@JWheelertv) April 24, 2024
According to ABC 7, outside forces infiltrated to kickstart the riot at USC.
VIDEO:
Chaotic scene at #USC right now as officers with the department of public safety went into Gaza solidarity camp and took down tents, signs. Protesters faced off with officers and some tents have returned @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/doAxpdftfH
— Josh Haskell (@abc7JoshHaskell) April 24, 2024
Things turned ugly as the protestors, not all students, faced off with police.
WATCH:
This is turning very ugly at USC with protesters, not all are students, face off with campus police pic.twitter.com/CfmFcBAplD
— Josh Haskell (@abc7JoshHaskell) April 24, 2024
Campus police used their batons to push back on the pro-Hamas protestors.
DPS officers put their hands on a @USC student; take out batons pic.twitter.com/gPx8TwSqqj
— angie (@angorellanah) April 24, 2024
According to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, USC said it is closing the campus gates and restricting unauthorized visitors from entering after many of the pro-Hamas protestors do not appear to be affiliated with USC.
NEW: In statement, USC says it is closing campus gates and restricting unauthorized visitors from entering as a crowd of anti-Israel protesters, “many of whom do not appear to be affiliated with USC”, have “escalated their actions to a point of confrontation” as they refuse…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 24, 2024
CBS News reported:
A Pro-Palestinian protest at University of Southern California’s Alumni Park that started Wednesday morning grew in size and intensity by the afternoon after campus police confronted the crowd and ordered the dismantling of the encampment.
Tensions grew after officers forced the protesters to take down their tents and a protester was detained.
The encampment went up at the park Wednesday morning, similar to other pro-Palestinian encampments that have been part of other college campuses across the nation.
The group issued a list of demands including university divestment from any organizations that “profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation in Palestine.”
Campus Department of Public Safety officers visited the encampment, instructed students not to hang signs, flags or other materials from trees and posts in the park, and warned them not to use megaphones.
