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USC Campus Explodes in Violence as Pro-Hamas Protesters Set Up Encampment & Call for Israel’s Destruction
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Videos: Scott Jacobs
On a typically sunny Wednesday in Los Angeles, the serene campus of the University of Southern California (USC) became the epicenter of heightened tensions as pro-Hamas student demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement and campus security. The protests, part of a larger wave of demonstrations across the U.S., spotlighted the Marxist revolution that is taking place on college campuses with the focus of their wrath being Israel and Jews everywhere.
Anti-Israel protesters at USC join the nationwide campus Marxist revolution which targets Israel and Jews everywhere. They are chanting “Free, free Palestine” and accusing Israel of committing “genocide” @USC #October7massacre #proHamas @JewishonCampus_ @_SAFECAMPUS
Follow the… pic.twitter.com/u1aUkeVNwO— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 25, 2024
The demonstrations at USC aimed to challenge the university’s financial ties with Israel, reflecting a broader call for institutional accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. NBC News in Los Angeles reported that as the day unfolded, what began as an occupation of Alumni Park, dubbed the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation,” quickly escalated into a scene of confrontation.
By late afternoon, USC had taken the precaution of closing its campus gates, a response to the growing unrest. Notifications were sent out, urging anyone coming to campus to be prepared to show an ID. NBC News in Los Angeles indicated that this decision came as students set up encampments within the park, signaling their intent to not only protest but to occupy the space.
USC Campus on Sunday 4/21
Visibility of the clash reached a wider audience as footage from NewsChopper4 showed LAPD and campus police working to dismantle the makeshift encampments. Around 5:30 p.m., authorities issued a dispersal order—a pivotal moment that marked a significant escalation from protest to confrontation.
As tensions peaked around 6:00 p.m., some demonstrators resorted to throwing objects, including rocks and water bottles, at police officers, leading to a forceful response from law enforcement. Accoridng to the report on NBC News in Los Angeles, the LAPD’s engagement with the protesters culminated in approximately 73 arrests by 7:30 p.m. The charges, according to police reports, were primarily related to unlawful assembly and resistance against the dispersal order.
NBC4 in Los Angeles also reported that protesters, defying law enforcement orders, linked arms and continued their chants, signaling their determination to persist with their cause. This act of defiance, coupled with the ensuing police response, set the stage for a complex interaction between the right to protest and the responsibilities of maintaining campus safety.
As protesters made their intentions clear, the scene at USC grew increasingly charged. Law enforcement, including officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), responded by assisting the USC Department of Public Safety, as was noted in the NBC4 in Los Angeles report. This collaboration came after the university issued a call for assistance due to the escalating situation. The university also sent out alerts to students and faculty, warning of “significant activity at the center of the UPC campus.”
Amid the unfolding drama, one Jewish student, Coby Russo, shared his personal unease with NBC4, illustrating the palpable tension that affected not just the participants but also the bystander students. Russo described his physical and emotional turmoil as he arrived on campus, compelled to conceal his hamsa—a symbol of his identity—out of fear for his safety. NBC4 reported that his distress was compounded by anxious calls from his parents on the East Coast, calling attention to the broader impact of the protest on the USC community.
Campus unrest continues at the University of Southern California. Anti-Israel protesters chant “Let Him Go” when police intervene to arrest a violent anti-Israel protester. @USC @LAPDHQ @USCpolice #antiisrael #prohamas @JewishonCampus_ @_SAFECAMPUS
Follow the TJNEWS WHATSAPP… pic.twitter.com/QNub4oG89A— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 25, 2024
While Russo expressed a commitment to remain at USC despite his fears, another student highlighted the motivations driving his participation in the demonstration. This juxtaposition of experiences illustrates the multifaceted nature of campus demonstrations, where diverse student backgrounds and beliefs lead to varying perceptions of the same event.
Jacob Wheeler, a current USC student and former NBC4 intern, noted the rising tensions on campus, which had been simmering for weeks following a valedictorian controversy that had earlier sparked debate. Wheeler observed that the demonstrators, comprising both students and community members, were deeply passionate about their cause. NBC4 in Los Angeles reported that he also pointed out that the intensity of the protests was creating a palpable sense of unease among Jewish students, who felt the atmosphere was becoming increasingly hostile.
As calls to sever financial ties with Israel gain momentum, similar protests have taken root in several prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California State Polytechnic, Humboldt.
Amidst this wave of activism, security concerns have risen sharply. FBI Director Christopher Wray, in an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt, highlighted efforts by the FBI to coordinate with college campuses. NBC4 in Los Angeles reported that the focus is on raising awareness about anti-Semitic threats and potential violence that could emerge in connection with these protests.
