Tensions rose on the University of Southern California campus Saturday after pro-Palestinian protesters returned with tents and reestablished an encampment in Alumni Park, where 93 people were arrested on Wednesday.

They beat drums and put up banners reading "Free Palestine," "We are all Gaza" and "Stop Funding Genocide."

Shortly after 8 p.m., the university announced that it had closed its main campus to the public.

"Due to a disturbance, the University Park Campus is temporarily closed except for residents," USC said on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

The school said the disturbance was at the center of campus and urged people to "please avoid that part area until further notice."

The university's Department of Public Safety sent text alerts to students saying the campus "was temporarily closed except for residents."

The Los Angeles Police Department, which had issued a tactical alert Saturday evening, sent dozens of squad cars to the campus Saturday night. They arrived with lights flashing, and students said the officers had handcuffs and zip ties.

Later, students said they saw the police leave the area, while dozens of protesters ate dinner and settled into their tents.

"Things have been quiet. Nothing has escalated. We're anticipating it might, but it has been quiet," Anusha S., a journalism student who posted updates on a live blog for USC Annenberg Media, said in an interview.

The student journalists reported that LAPD officers unfurled yellow caution tape next to the Seeley G. Mudd building and said the area was being turned into a potential "command post."

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