Protester faces ‘assault with deadly weapon’ charge after clash with police at USC
A protester faced “assault with a deadly weapon” charges at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at USC. 93 arrests were made, leading to USC’s temporary closure. Although the protest has ended, the campus remains shut. The demonstration began at 4 p.m., with warnings issued and arrests following as protesters defied orders. USC remains closed until further notice. During a pro-Palestinian protest at USC, a protester was charged with “assault with a deadly weapon,” resulting in 93 arrests and the temporary closure of the university. Despite the protest ending, the campus remains shuttered. The demonstration commenced at 4 p.m., warnings were issued, and arrests ensued as protesters disobeyed directives. USC’s closure continues until further notice.
A protester was charged with “assault with a deadly weapon” during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the University of Southern California’s campus on Wednesday afternoon.
There were 93 people who were arrested at the demonstration. Early Thursday morning, USC announced the university would “remain close until further notice.”
The protest on the UPC has ended. However, the campus remains closed until further notice. Students, faculty, staff, and people with business on campus may enter with proper identification.
— USC (@USC) April 25, 2024
The protests began on campus around 4 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported.
At approximately 5 p.m., USC’s Department of Public Safety announced a 10-minute warning for demonstrators to clear the area or “face being arrested” by law enforcement officials. In response, many protesters defied the warning and moved toward the officers while chanting loudly, according to the Los Angeles Times.
At 5 p.m., USC’s Department of Public Safety officers gave protesters a 10-minute warning to disperse or face arrest. Protesters then gathered around the officers, drowning out their warnings with chants.
Later, an LAPD helicopter flew overhead, providing the protesters with another warning by declaring on a loudspeaker that their time was up and they had to leave the area or be arrested for trespassing, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Police officers then began to clear protesters out. The LAPD reported that 93 people were arrested with a post on social media early Thursday morning.
“93 arrests for 602 (O) PC,” the LAPD account posted on X, formerly Twitter. “No reports of any injuries. Patrols will remain in the area through tomorrow.”
“Earlier today, it was well known that there were numerous people on campus protesting,” Captain Kelly Muniz told reporters. “The Los Angeles Police Department was in the area and then went on campus around 4 p.m. today. Once protesters refused to leave, and we assisted the university in affecting trespass arrests.”
One reporter noted that earlier Wednesday, during the protest, there was video of police officers having water bottles and other objects thrown at them.
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“There was an altercation in one portion of the protest area,” Muniz said. “We did have one arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. So, in addition to the trespass arrests that we continue to work on, that arrest did occur as well.”
Muniz also explained what led to the protesters being arrested.
“The university is a private campus, and the group had been violating some of their orders, and it was a trespass at that point, and we assisted with those arrests,” Muniz said.
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