America: 93 people arrested in police action on anti-Israel protests at the University of Southern California

Los Angeles Police Department said that 93 people have been arrested at the University of Southern California.

“The university is a private campus and the group was violating some of their orders. At that time it was a trespassing and we assisted in the arrest,” Los Angeles Police Captain Kelly Muniz said during a briefing.

In addition, a man was also arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, Muniz said, CNN reported.

Police said there were no reports of any protesters or officers being injured.

USC's Department of Public Safety ordered protesters gathered in Alumni Park on campus on Wednesday afternoon to disperse or face arrest for trespassing, CNN reports.

According to a university official, tensions rose during the demonstration as, at one point, protesters refused to move and removed their tents and other prohibited items.

Subsequently, the university closed its campus on Wednesday evening as the LAPD began arresting protesters.

According to CNN report, earlier on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson had demanded the resignation of the President of Columbia University amid ongoing demonstrations due to pro-Palestinian sentiments in major American universities.

Protesters at Columbia University, where demonstrations erupted last week, are demanding the severance of ties with Israeli academic institutions and complete divestment from Israel-linked institutions amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stressed the need for order on campus, saying that if the university president could not restore peace, he should resign. However, reactions from students to this call for resignation have varied, with some expressing a desire to continue working with him.

However, more than 30 arrests were made during protests at the University of Texas at Austin.