University of Florida students worry about future on-campus protests
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - University of Florida students are concerned about rules becoming stricter during future protests after nine people were arrested at a pro-Palestine demonstration.
Protestors say they were assembled peacefully when law enforcement stepped in and removed chairs then started detaining people when they refused to move.
UF students and staff attended the first appearance hearing in support of the nine people arrested, 6 of whom are UF students.
After the hearing, all but one person was released.
Those who were jailed are no longer allowed on campus at UF.
RELATED: Students, faculty oppose arrest of pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Florida
UF officials say the rules for prohibited actions during protests have always been the same but students say they felt they never enforced them.
Students are concerned the rules will prohibit many actions in future protests.
“I am a little bit worried about what we might be limited on doing in the future since we already have been forced to stop doing an event,” shared Cassie Urbenz, a student at UF.
Urbenz is a student who has helped organize many protests on campus.
“It’s going just to be this continuous back and forth infinitely where it’s we don’t like you protesting, so we’re going to find something to get you on. Then, we have to keep being creative and keep doing other things to avoid getting arrested,” shared Urbenz
She says that based on the recent events with the pro-Palestine protests, she is worried about planning future demonstrations on campus.
“I am really concerned about this damaging our level of trust with the police force, that’s like really important to me and it’s really unfortunate to lose a part of that,” shared Urbenz.
Some students even stated that they were scared these protests would affect graduation. State University System of Florida officials sent an email stating they prohibit disruptions of Florida commencement ceremonies.
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