LOS ANGELES - Students at dozens of universities in the U.S. and Canada are continuing to protest for Palestinian human rights after months of war in Gaza.

Most student organizations participating in protests and encampments on campuses have similar demands of their administrations, including divestment from companies that could be profiting from the war and transparency regarding where they’re investing their money.

Many universities have said they support freedom of speech and will allow protests on campus, but that encampments violate school policy.

Fights broke out at UCLA on Sunday among pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel supporters after a barrier that was meant to separate the dueling groups of demonstrators was breached, KNBC news reported.

A group called Stand With Us had scheduled an 11 a.m. rally to show support for Jewish students after days of often intense pro-Palestinian protests at campuses across the United States, including at crosstown USC. The rally was co-sponsored by the United Jewish Coalition in partnership with the Israel American Council and several related organizations.

University of Southern California

Joel Curran, the University of Southern California’s senior vice president of communications, said campus property, including the Tommy Trojan statue, was vandalized Saturday by individuals who are part of the group that has continued "to illegally camp on our campus."

USC students started protesting after Muslim student Asna Tabassum’s valedictorian speech was canceled because of unspecified security threats.

Story Date: April 29, 2024