Spencer Bispham / Managing editor 

An otherwise normal morning was interrupted Tuesday, Nov. 14 when a truck bearing controversial messages pertaining to the current Israel-Palestine conflict parked beside the Plaza de Colachis. Around 10:30 a.m., several students witnessed a black truck registered in Florida pull into the parking lot next to the Immaculata and park parallel to the main walkway through campus. Digital screens on three of the truck’s four sides had messages relating to Israel’s role in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Some of the messages read “HAMAS = ISIS, ” “THE WEST IS NEXT” and “BRING THEM HOME NOW,” in apparent reference to the over 200 hostages originally takenby Hamas, according to a recent report by the Washington Post.The truck was driven by an individual who did not step out from behind the wheel, and was accompanied by to two others who got out of the vehicle to take credit for the demonstration. As confirmed by USD’s administration, none of these people were affiliated with USD.All three individuals refused to provide their names and/or contact information, but The USD Vista was able to obtain an interview with one of the demonstration organizers in the middle of the Plaza de Colachis. “We need to share both sides ofthestory,”thedemonstratory said.“Wefeelthatlatelywhoever screams the loudest, being more aggressive, taking down flags, being more vocal and loud is being heard the most. There is a story to tell here about the 240 people who got kidnapped the day of October seventh, innocent people, farmers, got murdered, got butchered by Hamas.” The organization to which the truck and its affiliates belonged to was unclear, except an Instagram account tag that read “@livingjewishly” at the bottom of one of the truck’s photos. The message in the Instagram bio of this account reads, “Modern Jew-ish gifts. Sisters calling out bullsh*t wherever we see it.” This information was not posted on the truck itself. At least two students alerted the USD Office of Public Safety of the truck’s presence on campus within minutes of its arrival. Officers Christopher Nanquil, Humberto Espinoza and Lieutenant Henry Marquez responded to the calls and addressed the people who brought the truck on campus. USD Public Safety Officer Christopher Nanquil spoke to the same individual who was interviewed by the USD Vista and explained that the constitutional right to free speech functions differently on public versus private property.“Obviously,wegotcalledinfor this,” Nanquil said. “The problem is that there are students calling us… unfortunately, this is private property, so that’sthe problem. We told him [the driver] the same thing.”After repeatedly being asked to leave, the truck began to pull out of the parking lot and the other two individuals associated with the protest truck left in their cars. At the same time, USD Vice President of Student Affairs, Charlotte Johnson arrived at the scene after being alerted of the conflict. In an email, Johnson explained how exactly the truck and its affiliates were in violation of USD’s policy.“As you know, the truck driver and the individuals who accompanied the truck were in violation of our demonstration policy and were asked to leave campus, a request with which they complied,” she said. “Given the violation, the individuals have been issued ‘no trespass’ orders, meaning they are no longer allowed on USD’s campus.” She also clarified the role of the Office of Public Safety in enforcing this policy. “The safety of our campus community is our top priority. While USD is a private university, our campus is open to the public, our offices regularly receive deliveries, and guests often visit campus to utilize USD resources and attend events.” As of now, the university has not released an update nor Public Safety alert about the incident. The truck or its affiliates have not been reported on campus since.

A truck was seen on USD’s campus on Nov. 14 which showed controversial messages referencing Israel. Spencer Bispham/The USD Vista