Officials from Florida State University and FSU Police did not immediately have a comment on the situation
By Chasity Maynard, Jamiya Coleman, Sam Thomas and WCTV Staff
Published: Apr. 30, 2024 at 2:51 PM EDT|Updated: May. 1, 2024 at 1:13 AM EDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Five protesters, including two Florida State University students, were arrested by FSU Police on campus Tuesday amid a slew of police crack-downs across the country on protests against the Israel-Hamas War.
Multiple were recorded as they were placed in handcuffs on Tuesday afternoon, and at least five uniformed officers could also be seen in the area of Landis Green in a live video shared on the Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society Instagram page on Tuesday afternoon.
“Anyone who was arrested today made a conscious choice to engage in unlawful conduct,” FSU officials wrote in a statement. “The university’s rules and regulations had been explained repeatedly over several days and the group had been compliant until this afternoon. Today’s arrests occurred after the individuals ignored multiple requests and warnings to comply with a lawful order.”
Others affiliated with Tallahassee SDS told WCTV that five people have been transported to the Leon County Detention Facility for setting up tents on the green space at FSU. Five individuals connected to SDS were booked into the jail Tuesday afternoon and charged with trespassing after warning, according to its website. The scene at Landis Green was peaceful all afternoon.
“I think that this is a sign of the change of times, and this is going to be the most important anti-war movement that’s happened in our country since the Vietnam War,” Tallahassee SDS member Delilah Pierre said.
SDS members set up a bail fund and continued protesting after the arrests Tuesday afternoon. At about 5 p.m., the group moved to the Leon County Detention Facility to continue demonstrating and to bail out those facing charges in connection to the event.
In response to the arrests, FSU officials said the university “cherishes and upholds freedom of speech and all the other rights we enjoy in this country.”
“However, the expression of these rights must comply with university regulations and the law,” university officials wrote in a statement. “FSU places equal value on the right of the campus community to engage in learning and teaching without harassment or disruption.”
A university spokesperson said the university will “continue to diligently enforce” campus rules and prevent “violence of any kind” or any disruptions to university activities.
“With important rights come substantial responsibilities, and it is imperative that all members of our campus community understand free speech as well as its limits and the consequences for conduct that exceeds these boundaries,” the FSU statement said.
The news comes amid a wave of anti-war and pro-Palestine protests across the United States. Demonstrators have called for a cease-fire amid a war they call senseless. Both Israeli and Palestinian forces are accused of war crimes and genocide in the latest strife in a generations-long series of battles.
The law enforcement presence comes after Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society (Tallahassee SDS) announced on social media Tuesday morning that they would meet at Landis Green “to pressure FSU to divest from deaths and cut all ties with ’Israel.’”
It’s a continuation of other protests at and around the heart of Florida State University, with SDS also gathering there Thursday in support of Palestine and to pressure U.S. and university officials to break from supporting Israel in the war. Law enforcement warned protesters that day to take down tents, saying they violated school policies, and demonstrators ultimately removed the tents.
On the Instagram livestream Tuesday, demonstrators could be heard chanting “This is what democracy looks like,” “This is what community looks like,” and “Protesting is not a crime, free free free Palestine!”
The calls for action echo sentiments shared across the country. Students at other universities across the nation, including the University of Texas and the University of Florida, were arrested this week during similar demonstrations.
“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,” the University of Florida wrote in a statement Tuesday evening. “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.”
Law enforcement officials across the country have urged protesters for days to break up the demonstrations, which some authorities allege were not organized through proper channels or created unlawful encampments.
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