JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police responded to a Thursday night protest at the University of North Florida. This comes as tensions across the nation are growing at college campuses with some protests turning violent because of the Israel-Hamas war.
According to the university’s newspaper called Spinnaker, Thursday marks the third day that pro-Palestine supporters gathered to protest on the Green.
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Thursday’s protest started a little after 10 p.m. with about 25 protestors on the Green, chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” Spinnaker reported.
UNF police were at the protest and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also showed up on bikes with face/gas masks. The officers told students to leave or be arrested because the “campus is closed,” Spinnaker said.
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At least nine people were seen being walked out by officers with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, according to Spinnaker.
There was no word of the protests becoming violent, but since the university is gearing up for its commencement on Friday, UNF President Moez Limayem sent a message to the Osprey community:
“I’d like to remind all Ospreys and guests that UNF prohibits protests or demonstrations inside University buildings and prohibits disruption of scheduled events. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our entire campus community and our visitors. We are also committed to protecting the First Amendment rights of every student, faculty and staff member. Please remember, that with those rights come the important responsibility to follow applicable laws and regulations and understand that there are consequences for those who choose to ignore them. Again, these rules are in place to protect every person on our campus, where there is no tolerance for hate or bigotry of any kind.”