TAMPA, Fla. — A Pro-Palestine demonstration continued at the University of South Florida on Tuesday (April 30). Tampa Bay Student for a Democratic Society (SDS) held protests on campus for the second day in what they call the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment."
Victoria Hinckley with SDS said that protesters held their encampment despite being given a dispersal order at 5 p.m. Tear gas and flares were used on the camp.
Videos posted on X (formally Twitter) show police moving into the camp.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said that deputies went to the campus to assist USF Police with an unsanctioned protest. Ten people were arrested, according to HCSO.
"The moment a peaceful protestor arms his or herself with a shield or attempts to occupy a space that isn't theirs, as occurred today, they will be dispersed. And, if they choose not to follow instructions of law enforcement officers, they will be arrested as ten individuals were," Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
Protesters with the USF Divest Coalition, however, maintain the gathering was peaceful.
“And I’m just so angry that this — that protesting a genocide — this calls for the police," said Isha Modha. "We had no interest or attempt in brutalizing the police.”
While Modha did not share any concrete plans, she said Pro-Palestine demonstrations will continue in the future.
“Until Gaza is free until Palestine is free, I don’t see myself stopping. I don’t see my friends stopping. I don’t see all these strangers — these Tampa community members — stopping," she said.
Prior to Tuesday's gathering, three were arrested on campus Monday night.
Simon Rowe spoke to ABC Action News after being arrested Monday for a trespassing charge.
"Right after they marched to the MLK plaza. I joined them in marching towards the park area, and I tried constructing a tent, and I was arrested," said Rowe.
USF said the student-led group, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, were on an interim suspension for disrupting campus last week. They decided to protest Monday, despite warnings from university officials.
When staff told them to stop and take down tents, which are prohibited on campus without prior approval, officials say the requests were ignored. A student, an employee, and someone not affiliated with the school were arrested.
We spoke to Victoria Hinckely, a USF student, while she was waiting for other protestors to be released from jail.
"We're not backing down. Students are not backing down. Students across the country are not backing down. Palestinian resistance is not backing down," Hinckley said.
Protesters have a few demands for the university
- USF to release investment information
- A call to divest from Israel
- Publicly speak in support of Palestinian and Arab students
USF said in a statement it, "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."
Watch the scene at the University of South Florida campus below.
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