Dozens of anti-Israel continue to camp out outside of UCLA’s Royce Hall. Several tents are now in the encampment, which was started early Thursday morning, just hours after 93 anti-Israel protesters were arrested on the USC campus.
The people who organized the so-called “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” want the UCLA Foundation to divest from companies tied with Israel. They’re also demanding that UCLA call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and an academic boycott against Israeli universities. And they’re asking UCLA to suspend study abroad programs connected with Israel.
Meanwhile, USC is also cancelling its main graduation ceremony following the protests on campus. Thursday’s decision also follows the cancellation of the commencement speech that was going to be given by USC’s class of 2024 valedictorian, Asna Tabassum. Tabassum was accused of liking anti-Israel views on her social media profile and of being antisemitic online.
USC says it cancelled the speech due to “safety concerns.” The university says it will announce its updated graduation ceremony plans by Tuesday.
