USC cancels main commencement ceremony amid Gaza
protests
Move made after more than 90 demonstrators arrested on
campus and university cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s speech
Nick
Robins-Early
Thu 25 Apr
2024 19.51 EDT
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/25/usc-cancels-commencement-gaza-protests
The
University of Southern California (USC) has canceled its main stage graduation
ceremony, citing new safety measures as student protests over the Israel-Gaza
war have surged on the campus.
USC is one
of many campuses across the country that have become hubs for student
demonstrations against the war, with hundreds of arrests nationwide as tensions
escalate. Police arrested dozens of students and activists at USC this week on
trespassing charges.
Universities
have struggled to address the widening student demonstrations, drawing
criticism across the political spectrum and becoming a flashpoint in the
national discourse surrounding the war in Gaza. The turmoil has resulted in
canceled classes, faculty walkouts and administrations calling the police on
their own students.
USC
announced the move to cancel its ceremony on Thursday, a day after more than 90
protesters were arrested on campus. The ceremony was scheduled for 10 May. The
university already canceled a planned commencement speech by the school’s
pro-Palestinian valedictorian, citing safety concerns.
The
university says it will still host dozens of commencement events, including all
the traditional individual school commencement ceremonies where students cross
a stage and receive their diplomas.
“We
understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new
activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful,
memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends,
faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by
the Trojan Marching Band,” the university said in a statement on Thursday.
The Los
Angeles police department said more than 90 people were arrested on Wednesday
night during a protest on the campus for alleged trespassing. One person was
arrested for alleged assault with a deadly weapon.
Elsewhere
in Los Angeles, a new protest camp sprung up at UCLA in California, with local
news reports saying dozens of tents were erected on Thursday morning. Video
posted on social media showed a large number of students at what appeared to be
a peaceful rally.
Although
student protests against the war have been ongoing for months, the latest wave
of demonstrations emerged after students at Columbia University in New York set
up a pro-Palestinian encampment on school grounds. Columbia’s decision to send
the New York police department into campus to arrest the protesters and tear
down the camp drew immense backlash, and prompted similar encampments to pop up
on campuses across the country in solidarity.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
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