UF pro-Palestinian groups join students across the country protesting war in Gaza
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Students at the University of Florida are the latest to hold protests demanding universities divest from industries connected to the war in Gaza. Protests at Columbia University calling for divestment from Israel have spread across the country and led to hundreds of arrests in other states.
On Wednesday, UF students took to the Plaza of the Americas for the protests. Leaders of the UF Divestment Coalition say they hope university officials will release the school’s investment portfolio and sever ties with contractors that contribute to the Israeli government.
“We know there’s a lot of power in money, and so we’re following the money and using our grassroots approach to advocate peacefully for change that we need to see,” said Dani Sakkal, a protester.
UF officials declined to comment directly on the group’s demands, however, they do intend to remove any protesters on campus that break laws or camping policies. They provided the following statement:
“The University of Florida will always protect speech and uphold the law. Peaceful protests are constitutionally protected. Camping, putting up structures, disrupting academic activity, or threatening others on university property is strictly prohibited. The University has clearly communicated this to our students and explained that they can exercise their free speech rights but breaking the law will result in an immediate trespassing order from UFPD and an interim suspension from Student Life.”
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The group is also calling out the university for “acts of discrimination” allegedly committed against Palestinian, Arab, and pro-Palestinian students and faculty. They cite the effort to deactivate the UF Students for Justice in Palestine group, their exclusion from statements denouncing violence, and alleged defamation by President Ben Sasse.
“It’s been over 200 days of the genocide and President Ben Sasse has failed to ever mention once or make any sort of public statement about the Arab students on campus and the need for our safety as well. I’m not saying it’s ours over the others, it should be the protection of everyone’s safety to be included on campus,” said Sakkal.
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