USC cancels main commencement ceremony after protests, arrests

• University administrations and police have cracked down on protests, encampments and sit-ins at college campuses across the country.

Catch up quick: 93 people were arrested on Wednesday night by the Los Angeles Police Department for trespassing.

• No injuries were reported.

Driving the news: The university's decision stems from the additional safety measures in place this year, it said in a statement.

• The main ceremony usually brings 65,000 people to USC's campus.
• Individual school commencements, doctoral hooding ceremonies, special celebrations and departmental receptions will still be held from May 8-11.

State of play: USC canceled its valedictorian's commencement speech earlier this month, citing safety concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war.

• Asna Tabassum, USC's class of 2024 valedictorian, said the move was the result of an anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian "campaign of racist hatred."

Zoom out: Students at universities across the U.S. have organized encampments and demonstrations over the war in Gaza.

• Many are calling for their schools' divestment in companies with ties to Israel.
• After Columbia leadership testified to a GOP-led congressional committee last week, university president Minouche Shafik called on the New York Police Department to remove protestors from the campus.
• The arrest of more than 100 people at Columbia catalyzed solidarity protests and encampments at other universities.

Go deeper: USC cancels Pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech over safety concerns

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.