TAMPA, Fla. — University of South Florida police said 10 people were arrested after law enforcement deployed tear gas in a clash with pro-Palestinian protesters on Tuesday.
In a statement, USF said around 75-100 protesters, including some not affiliated with the university, arrived at the Tampa campus in the morning with items like wooden shields, umbrellas and tents.
"As the day progressed, police observed participants in person and through social media expressing their intent to use some of the items they brought on campus as weapons and to resist university staff members and law enforcement officers. As a result, USF police determined that the protest was no longer peaceful, and participants must leave the area," the USF statement read, in part.
Dozens of students were seen using umbrellas as shields Tuesday evening as they stood in a circle with their arms locked. USF Police Chief Christopher Daniel claimed the protesters were “interlocking their arms in unison as a show of force."
The police chief also said the group used their wooden shields "to fortify their circle to prevent law enforcement from getting past."
At about 4:55 p.m., police gave students a 15-minute warning, informing them they would be subject to tear gas and rubber bullets if they did not leave.
Police were heard giving demonstrators several orders to disperse over a loudspeaker around 5:10 p.m., declaring the protest an "unlawful assembly" and notifying students they were under arrest for refusing to disperse.
About 10 minutes later, amid protesters' cries to "hold the line," police deployed tear gas and a majority of the students ran off.
"Before the situation could escalate any further, chemical agents were released. At that time, USF Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol members began to move in in a coordinated manner," Daniel said.
According to the police chief, order was restored and the area was cleared by 6 p.m.
When questioned how law enforcement determined the demonstration was not peaceful, Daniel asked, "If you’re out here peacefully protesting, why should you need shields and umbrellas?"
"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," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a post on X.
Protesters gathered outside the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office correctional facility on Orient Road and remained there as of midnight on Wednesday.
They say they're demanding the release of all students and community members.
Among those arrested are Atah Kheir Othman of Plant City. He faces charges related to trespassing, unlawful assembly, and possession of a firearm on school property.
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Just yesterday, three protesters were arrested for a similar demonstration near the university's library. Students were demanding the university condemn Israel's assault on Gaza and divest from companies they believe are pro-Israel.
In a statement, USF said it protects students' right to free speech and encourages them to express themselves as long as the events remain peaceful and do not violate school policy.
This comes as similar pro-Palestinian protests sweep college campuses across the U.S.
More than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested earlier this month after camping out on Columbia University's campus. Dozens more took over a building at the university early Tuesday, barricading entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag from a window.
From coast to coast, colleges are begging pro-Palestinian demonstrators to clear out tent encampments as commencement ceremonies approach. The number of arrests at campuses nationwide is approaching 1,000 as the final days of class wrap up.
The outcry is forcing colleges to reckon with their financial ties to Israel, as well as their support for free speech. Some Jewish students, meanwhile, say much of the criticism of Israel has veered into antisemitism and made them feel unsafe, as they point out that Hamas is still holding hostages taken during the group's Oct. 7 invasion.
Israel and its supporters have branded the university protests as antisemitic, while critics of Israel say it uses those allegations to silence opposition. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.