‘Not a daycare:’ 12 arrested during student protests at 2 Florida universities

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Protestors at the University of Florida and University of South Florida were arrested on Monday, according to university officials.

UF officials said that nine people were arrested by the university’s police department and the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to the university, charges included failure to obey a lawful command, resisting without violence to trespass after warning. One was allegedly charged with battery after spitting on an officer.

In a release, UF spokesman Steve Orlando announced the arrests, saying that the university had provided ample warnings last week regarding “prohibited activities.”

“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. For many days, we have patiently told protesters — many of whom are outside agitators — that they were able to exercise their right to free speech and free assembly. And we also told them that clearly prohibited activities would result in a trespassing order from UPD (barring them from all university properties for three years) and an interim suspension from the university. For days UPD patiently and consistently reiterated the rules. Today, individuals who refused to comply were arrested after UPD gave multiple warnings and multiple opportunities to comply.”

UF spokesman Steve Orlando

During its previous warning, UF stated that the following items and activities were prohibited on campus while demonstrating:

Students found violating these rules could face a three-year suspension, and employees doing so could face termination, UF officials said.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested during a pro-Palestine protest at USF’s campus, according to CBS affiliate WTSP.

WTSP reports USF staff tried to move the protest ahead of time. USF officials provided the following statement:

“The University of South Florida values the right to free speech and protecting the constitutional right for individuals and groups on campus to express themselves. This includes peaceful protests and demonstrations that occur regularly on USF’s three campuses without incident and are part of the public discourse of a university. However, the expression of free speech must remain peaceful and not violate the law or USF policies. The university has been clear that violence, threats, harassment and disruptions will not be tolerated.

At 12 p.m. on Monday, April 29, a student organization, the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), attempted to hold a protest outside of the library on the USF Tampa campus. The group was placed on interim suspension last week after causing a disruption on campus. Suspended student organizations are not permitted to host events and activities, which the group was made aware of several times prior to today’s protest, including another reminder this morning.

When the student organization attempted to hold a protest anyway, university staff informed them that they were not authorized to continue.”

USF spokesperson

When the students were asked to leave the library, they moved to the other side of the street, with dozens of protestors chanting “ceasefire now” at MLK Plaza, according to WTSP.

While opposing groups reportedly showed up to the protest holding Israeli flags — sparking tension between protestors — no information was provided on who was arrested or whether any students face expulsion.

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