Tear gas filled the grounds of the University of South Florida (USF) as protests in support of Palestinian people turned chaotic, resulting in the arrest of 10 individuals on campus last Tuesday. According to NBC Miami, law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly in the afternoon when protesters, equipped with umbrellas and makeshift shields, failed to disperse.
The clashes at USF, where an estimated 75 to 100 people demonstrated, came amidst a wave of campus protests across Florida. Amid the disorder, a protester was found in possession of a gun, as reported by USF in a message sent to its students. A USF spokesperson, emphasizing the institution's commitment to free speech, asserted, "However, the expression of free speech must remain peaceful and not violate the law or USF policies," as per NBC Miami.
Simultaneously, the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville faced its own unrest with nine protesters arrested, as confirmed by WFLA. Violations ranged from failure to obey a lawful command to battery on a law enforcement officer for spitting on an officer. Steve Orlando, a UF spokesman, conveyed a stern reminder of the rules, stating, "This is not complicated: The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children — they knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they'll face the consequences."
Universities statewide have been on alert, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issuing a clear warning to protesting students: expulsion awaits those who disrupt campus order. "If you try that at a Florida university, you are going to be expelled," DeSantis said, chiding universities like Columbia and Yale for their responses to similar protests. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian actions continue to surge nationally, with nearly 1,000 arrests made during such protests across the U.S., according to WFLA.
Despite the heated climate, a peaceful protest was noted at The University of Central Florida on April 26, with no clashes involving law enforcement reported. This variety of responses to the pro-Palestine protests highlights the tension between the exercise of free speech and maintaining public order on college campuses, demonstrating the balance schools seek between upholding individuals' rights and enforcing their conduct policies.
