LAPD issues city-wide tactical alert as pro-Palestinian protests continue at USC

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a city-wide tactical alert in response to a disturbance at the University of Southern California campus Saturday night.

The school issued a statement at 8:15 p.m. saying the University Park campus was temporarily closed to everyone except for residents.

A growing number of protestors continued to increase the size of the encampment, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators are voicing their opposition to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Protestors are calling for a ceasefire after roughly 34,000 people have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Much of the campus was on lockdown, with the LAPD enforcing the closure to non-residents. KTLA 5’s Chris Wolfe received reports that there was some vandalism at the school on Saturday.

USC has seen increased tensions in recent weeks due to pro-Palestinian protests in response to the war in Gaza. A group called the People’s City Council used social media to call for protestors to continue to arrive on the campus.

On April 15, USC canceled its Class of 2024 valedictorian’s speech due to safety issues after pro-Israel groups accused her of being antisemitic. Asna Tabassum was scheduled to speak at the commencement but has since been told that USC will not allow her to do so due to safety concerns.

Nearly 100 protestors were arrested at USC on April 25 in relation to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The school elected to cancel its main graduation ceremony due to safety issues because of the increased protests.

Colleges across the country have seen increased tensions as students and protestors continue to voice their concerns with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and are demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

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