TAMPA, Fla. – University of South Florida police announced that 10 people were arrested on Tuesday after a clash between protesters and police at the Tampa campus, according to CBS affiliate WTSP.
University officials said that around 75-100 protesters — including some unaffiliated with the university — arrived at the campus on Tuesday 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,” a statement from USF reads.
WTSP reports that dozens of students were seen using umbrellas as shields as they stood in a circle with their arms locked together. They also reportedly used wooden shields “to fortify their circle to prevent law enforcement from getting past.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
About 25 minutes after providing a warning, police released tear gas into the crowd, and a majority of the students fled, WTSP adds.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also announced that deputies responded to the scene to help.
“Violent or unsanctioned protests on University Campuses or anywhere in Hillsborough County Florida will not be tolerated. This is Florida, a law-and-order state. Every student, regardless of color, creed or religion, should be able to feel safe and learn in a secure environment. Every student should be able to freely move about campus without fear of harassment or intimidation. 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 10 individuals were.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister
USF Police Chief Christopher Daniel said that the area was ultimately cleared by 6 p.m.
No information has yet been provided about how many of the 10 people arrested were students.
On Monday, 12 people were arrested at similar protests at the University of South Florida and the University of Florida.
Regarding the three arrests at its campus on Monday, USF provided the following statement:
“The University of South Florida 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.
At 12 p.m. on Monday, April 29, a student organization, the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), attempted to hold a protest outside of the library on the USF Tampa campus. The group was placed on interim suspension last week after causing a disruption on campus. Suspended student organizations are not permitted to host events and activities, which the group was made aware of several times prior to today’s protest, including another reminder this morning.
When the student organization attempted to hold a protest anyway, university staff informed them that they were not authorized to continue.”
USF spokesperson
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: