Israel’s attacks on Hamas have prompted some college students to support Palestinians, which has made the Florida government push back against students who speak out about what they see as injustices taking place in the Middle East.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been adamant in his opposition to university students taking a pro-Palestine stance, threatening to expel them.
But the governor’s threats did not stop Students for a Democratic Society at Florida State University, who on Monday led a march in support of Palestinians and against DeSantis’ support for the Israeli government.
Regina Joseph, a student at FSU, and Freedom Road Socialist organizer, wants DeSantis to know that his scare tactics will not diminish their efforts.
“Even if our voice is shaking and even if we are scared, it is important for all people to stand against Israel and DeSantis is using us as slaughter to continue to attack people who are fighting for a better world,” Joseph said.
FSU is not the only public university in Florida that has been facing this struggle with DeSantis banning support for Palestinians. A statewide legislative policy has been sent to all public Florida colleges and universities.
State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues wrote to university presidents, telling them to disband any group that is in support of Palestinians. He has urged administrators to deactivating chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine at University of South Florida and the University of Florida.
“It is a felony under Florida law to ‘knowingly provide material support …. to a designated foreign terrorist organization,” Rodrigues said in the letter.
Rodrigues also said that he has the backing from the Executive Office of the Governor and SUS’ Board of Governors in support of suspensions.
“All tools at our disposal to crack down on campus demonstrations that delve beyond protected First Amendment speech into harmful support for terrorist groups,” said Rodrigues. “These measures could include necessary adverse employment actions and suspensions for school officials.”
DeSantis’ support for Israel has been prominent from the onset, starting with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 5. Some have suggested DeSantis has been so public in his response in order to strengthen his standing as he seeks the Republican Party’s nomination for president in 2024. DeSantis is showing his allegiance to conservatives and is trying to gain support from future voters.
DeSantis has also recently pushed against equity and diversity programs in universities, which has also led to resistance from some college students.
The resistance has evoked strong emotions from students and Florida residents.
Josh Patterson, an FSU student and protester at Monday’s rally, wants to shed light on the government’s recent stance against Palestinians.
“This is not normal. Genocide is not normal,” Patterson said. “We have the power just like our incompetent Governor DeSantis and spineless politicians.”
Recent pro-Israel comments and the banning of pro-Palestine groups from the Florida government has added more ammunition to the fire.
Students across the state of Florida are fighting back against DeSantis’ recent statements and the passing of several educational bills in support of Republican ideologies.