Colorado Springs, CO – On November 13, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) will meet at Fire Station 8 for the first time since being denied the public meeting space in September for political reasons.

On September 4, the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) notified COSAARPR that the city attorney had called the CSFD to say that the organization could not meet at fire stations in Colorado Springs. The politics of COSAARPR were described in a letter as “fundamentally incompatible with the Fire Department’s basic public safety mission which includes our partnership with the Colorado Springs Police Department.”

One week later, COSAARPR released a statement online calling the cancellation a “blatant attack on our right to partake in the political life and development of our city” and demanding access to the space. In the following weeks, COSAARPR continued to make reservations to meet at Fire Station 8.

On October 11, COSAARPR escalated the campaign by holding a press conference in front of the fire station, criticizing the city for attacking the organization's ability to assemble and use a public space. Brandon Rincon, founder of COSAARPR, started by emphasizing that COSAARPR is an organization that “works alongside various families of Black, Chicano, Latino and indigenous descent who have lost loved ones to police shootings and racist violence.”

Rincon described the decision of the city attorney’s office as “racist political games” and “a field of struggle for continued repression” of COSAARPR. He also noted that this comes after COSAARPR “forced two bogus obstruction charges to a path of dismissal,” referring to charges members of the group were served at their homes after a march COSAARPR led in early March.

On October 24, the Colorado Springs Fire Department contacted COSAARPR and informed them that they had received word that COSAARPR is able to meet at the fire station moving forward, marking another victory for the group against repression from the police.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #COSAARPR #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #PoliceCrimes #FreeSpeech

Tampa, FL — On Thursday October 9, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society held a press conference to announce they had filed a lawsuit against the University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees, the USF Police Department, President Rhea Law, Dean of Students Danielle McDonald and Assistant Dean Melissa Graham.

The lawsuit was filed on October 8, due to the continued repression USF has pushed against free speech on campus including expelling Tampa Bay SDS as an organization, creating policies limiting protest, and expelling SDS member Victoria Hinckley along with charging others with conduct violations.

The lawsuit is only the latest advance in Tampa Bay SDS’s campaign to defend free speech on campus. Previous attempts at filing complaints against USF, like Student Equal Opportunity Report forms, a Title VI Complaint, and attempts at reaching out directly to their lawyers, have been met without response, leading to this new lawsuit.

Ending the press conference, SDS spokesperson Saba Indawala said, “We demand that SDS be reinstated on campus and for the free speech of our members and supporters to be protected on campus. We will continue fighting on the right side of history and fighting for the right to free speech on USF campus. We're going to continue fighting for our right to protest the genocide happening in Gaza!”

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech #Palestine #AntiWarMovement

Tallahassee, FL – On Thursday, April 3, Students for a Democratic Society crashed the FSU president’s ice cream social, demanding answers about the university's subservience to President Trump’s and Governor Desantis’ attacks on DEI initiatives and free speech.

Four members of SDS approached President Richard McCullough with a banner reading “Fight Trump and the GOP agenda! Stand with Palestine! Stop attacks on immigrants! Defend women’s and LGBTQ+ rights!”

After waiting in line for ice cream, SDS member JJ Glueck was refused service by McCullough. The president hid behind student volunteers upon seeing SDS. When asked why he refused to serve the group ice cream, a staff member claimed that McCullough was “meeting with some people.” This was false, as McCullough was observed quietly scrolling on his phone.

In reality, FSU’s president was dodging questions about FSU policies. SDS tried to walk around the tent to reach McCullough, but they were immediately intercepted by FSU police, who told members not to make the social event “too political,” and chastised them for being disruptive. FSUPD also threatened to trespass the four SDS members in attendance if they did not put the banner away.

Tallahassee SDS is very familiar with McCullough dodging or giving run-around answers to direct questions. In August 2023, SDS had a meeting with the president to ask about the university’s plan to address HB 999, a Florida bill that targeted DEI offices in higher education and sought to eliminate funding for programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. It also aimed to dismantle majors and student organizations related to race, gender and identity. In the meeting, McCullough employed vague platitudes that illustrated he had no plan to fight against DEI rollbacks.

At the Horizons Unlimited Conference on March 24, SDS member Angel Pierre asked President McCullough, “with the recent ICE raids, many students of color are worried about being profiled and arrested despite being legal residents or citizens. What do you believe FSU should do to ensure these students feel safe on campus? And in your opinion, what should be the policy surrounding ICE being allowed into dorms on campus?” To this, McCullough replied, “Thank you for your question, I don’t think we’re going to address that.”

SDS also attended the president’s ice cream social in 2024 with the intention of asking questions about FSU’s partnerships with Boeing and Northrop Grumman, which supply military equipment to the Israelis. Instead of meeting with students concerned about their tuition being used to carry out a genocide, President McCullough put down his ice cream scoop, took off his apron, and fled on an FSUPD golfcart.

After McCullough’s refusal to listen to concerned students at the 2025 ice cream social, SDS recorded a social media video outside of the Westcott building, where the president’s office is located, to call out his cowardice and demand answers. By chance, President McCullough walked out of the Westcott building in the middle of the recording. SDS members Lain Dorsey and JJ Glueck quickly approached McCullough and got his attention.

“We tried talking to you at the social today. Could I ask you a question now?” Glueck asked. “No, because you’re gonna record it, I know the way you guys work,” McCullough replied. Glueck and Dorsey walked behind him, asking questions about FSU’s declining Black enrollment and Israel Defense Forces war criminals being allowed on campus while SDS is barred from holding meetings. McCullough said nothing, shaking his head and walking to his vehicle. McCullough turned his back on the two, just as he has shamefully turned his back on Black, immigrant and queer students at FSU.

Tallahassee SDS will continue its campaign to defend DEI, get relisted as a recognized student organization, and keep racists off FSU’s campus. Join the fight will by attending weekly planning meetings on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the locally-owned Common Ground Books.

#TallahasseeFL #FL #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #DEI #SDS

New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday, March 19, a broad group of activists congregated at Tulane University for a press conference. The groups presented an open letter addressed to the administrations of all local universities demanding they protect students, staff and faculty from the White House’s recent slew of attacks against college campuses. They demanded protections for immigrants, freedom of speech and DEI programs.

“We are united in our commitment to justice, human dignity and freedom,” said Hakm Murad of the Palestinian Youth Movement.

The letter also calls for universities to demand the immediate release of pro-Palestine activists and New York ‘s Columbia University students Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, and that students be protected from any similar violations by the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration. Mahmoud Khalil continues to be held in an ICE detention center at Jena, Louisiana. Washington DC’s Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri was also detained by ICE and sent to a detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. Suri’s detention is a continuation of Trump’s stated goals of targeting and deporting pro-Palestinian students and faculty at universities.

Tulane and Loyola University's repression of student activists since last year has given the solidarity movement for Khalil particular urgency. Tulane complied with new directives from the White House and shut down the school’s DEI office. But student activists bravely stood up to defend DEI.

In reaction, the university arrested (and later released) one activist due to a pro-DEI sign on her backpack. Also, minutes before the March 19 press conference, several Tulane student protesters received notice that they were under investigation by administration.

“It is no coincidence the emails were sent out right as we were set to raise awareness about Tulane’s cowardly compliance with the racist Trump agenda and its attacks on students’ freedom of speech at this press conference,” said Maya Sanchez, a former Tulane student, reading a statement written by local members of Students for a Democratic Society.

Tulane alumni and member of New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police Vonne Burton added, “DEI programs were won by students during the Civil Rights Movement, any student who defends it today should be applauded, not arrested.”

The open letter circulated by the New Orleans for Palestine Coalition has received notable public support. Signatories include multiple contenders for the upcoming city council elections, as well as current council member and mayoral candidate, Oliver Thomas. The organizations say they are continuing to urge Louisiana’s U.S. Representative Troy Carter, and the remaining members of the city council to sign on and take action to defend local campuses.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #SDS

Similar to Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian student detained last week despite having a permanent legal status, she played a role in the pro-Palestine student protests at Columbia, including the Hind's Hall building occupation.

Authorities claim that this is normal protocol related to her visa status. That is not true. It is part of a pattern of repression that includes Khalil's case, and the investigations carried out by Trump's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. These arrests come hot on the heels of the university suspending or expelling 22 students at Columbia University.

Emergency campus protests to “Free Mahmoud Khalil” are underway across the U.S. 1000 students walked out on Tuesday in New York City alone. More protests are springing up.

“It's political repression of campus activists who want to use their free speech to talk about Palestine, plain and simple,” said Erin Boyle, the vice president of national Students for a Democratic Society. “Trump promised deportations of Palestinian and pro-Palestine students to quench the movement, and now he's trying to deliver. But it won't work. As long as the student movement is alive and Israel occupies Palestinian land, we will never be silent.”

#MinneapolisMN #MN #StudnetMovement #AntiWarMovement #PoliticalRepression #FreeSpeech #MahmoudKhalil #LeqaaKorida

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from UMN Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

On March 10, after 10 days of deliberation, the University of Minnesota’s panel for the disciplinary hearing of the students arrested during the occupation of Halimy Hall decided that the student protestors were found not responsible for the unjust charges of violation of local, state or federal laws, theft, property damage, and vandalism because of the absolute lack of evidence.

The sanctions decided by the panelists involve a one-year disciplinary probation, 40 hours of community service, prohibition of entry to Morrill Hall for one year, and a restorative justice resolution that will involve writing a letter to the Morrill Hall employees impacted by the protest and engaging in a listening circle with them. All students were offered a restorative justice option instead of punitive justice.

The dropping of suspensions and restitutions, as well as the panel finding the protestors not guilty on a majority of the initial Student Code violations, is a huge win for pro-Palestinian student activism. The panel also notably found the protestors not guilty of violating local, state, or federal laws, further delineating the illegitimacy of the current bogus felony charges on protestor Robyn Harbison. This is especially meaningful coming after Rebecca Cunningham’s most recent email to the university body, stating that the university will fully comply with the Anti-Defamation League’s investigation into anti-semitism on the university campus.

We are in a moment of increased political repression and fear, people are becoming afraid to use their voice to protest the injustices around them. In this moment, it is especially vital that we keep standing up and protesting Trump’s attacks and that we keep fighting for Palestinian liberation. The hearing results constitute a major victory for the entire student movement, but we must keep fighting against the repression that is rampant on campuses across the country, especially following the kidnapping of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil by ICE. We will continue to stand up and support all protesters facing unjust repression because as long as our University or country remains complicit in genocide it is our duty to fight back.

While the University and Rebecca Cunningham continue to preemptively appeal to Zionist bodies and Trump’s increasingly repressive executive orders, the students and the pro-Palestine movement stand strong. When placed under the intense scrutiny of a proper legal procedure and the strong support of the community to back the students, the university’s case crumbled due to a lack of evidence. Despite every effort to harass and intimidate the students into a guilty verdict, the university’s attempt to capitulate to Zionism failed.

During an era of heightened repression for student activists, including the involuntary detainment of pro-Palestinian foreign student activists by the Department of Homeland Security, it is vitally important for students to continue showing up to fight for Palestine and to fight for their fellow students. As we continue to see increased repression against people’s movements at large, we must remember to stay loud about our repression because this victory was only possible thanks to the tireless struggle of the students and the community at large.

We will continue to struggle against all political repression and for a free Palestine!

Dare to struggle!

Dare to win!

#MinneapolisMN #MN #StudentMovement #PoliticalRepression #FreeSpeech #SDS #Statement

New Orleans, LA – On Thursday, February 20, around 30 Loyola students and New Orleans community members rallied in front of Loyola University to demand that university administration drop the semester-long suspension of student activist Carson Cruse. The action was organized by the Liberate and Unite New Orleans chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (LUNO SDS).

At the rally, the crowd chanted slogans such as “We want justice, you say how? Drop the suspension now!” and “Hold that line, yeah hold that line! Hold that line for student rights!”

Cruse was set to graduate in May, but if his suspension is maintained, he will be set back from graduating for another six months, if not longer.

Cruse told the crowd, “We understand that students will get absolutely nothing that we are not willing and organized to take. Through protracted campaigns and direct action, we can unite around our common needs as students to demand administration do their jobs for once!”

Several current and former students at Loyola gave speeches. Nat Arredondo with LUNO SDS pointed out that the resources used to prosecute Cruse could have been better spent on stopping sexual abuse. “Since my freshman year I have lived in the same dorms as sexual abusers, I have watched friends come out with disgusting testimonies that the administration heard and punished them for. But the abuser? They get to walk free,” stated Arredondo.

Loyola University administration issued Cruse’s suspension after he was reported for giving a public comment at a board meeting for the Port of New Orleans. His comment was part of an ongoing campaign by a local organization, New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP), to demand the port stop sending weapons and aid to Israel.

The woman who reported Carson’s comment, Sharonda Williams, is both on the board of the Port of New Orleans and a lawyer for Loyola University. Before her report, Cruse had been on academic probation due to his involvement in the Tulane University encampment for Palestine in April 2024. Under the terms of his probation, one more strike against him meant he would face suspension or full expulsion from Loyola.

Near the end of the rally, the protesters picketed and blocked the entrance to the school until they were shut down by the university police.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression

Baton Rouge, LA – On Tuesday January 28, about 20 students gathered in front of Louisiana State University (LSU) Law Center to demand the university reinstate Professor Ken Levy.

Levy was suspended for criticizing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and explaining Trump’s presidency would have implications for certain amendments to the constitution during one of his lectures.

Professor Levy’s attorney, Jill Craft, explained Levy revealed he was a Democrat and expressed a dislike for Trump. However, Craft believed Levy said nothing to warrant suspension.

Students stood on the steps of LSU’s law center holding signs that read “Leave Levy alone!” and “Protect free speech!” while listening to Kristen Graham-Winkles, a current student of Professor Levy, speak.

“This is the second time in just two semesters that a professor has faced reprimand for nothing more than expressing a progressive viewpoint,” said Graham-Winkles, referring to a similar incident that resulted in the Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly demanding LSU take action against law Professor Nicholas Bryner. Bryner expressed his dislike for Landry and Trump, and the university moved to launch an investigation that is still ongoing.

The news of Levy’s suspension was met with outrage from students who had taken his courses. Peach Hadley, a former law student of Professor Levy, said, “The truth is, Professor Levy and I didn’t always agree politically. But that was the thing about Levy. He didn’t care. He genuinely, out loud, encouraged students to express opinions that those students knew he might not agree with.”

Graham-Winkles stated, “Political conformity is being demanded, intellectual diversity is being crushed, and dissent is being punished. How valuable is admission and graduation from an institution that is unabashedly taking these actions?”

The rally at LSU’s Law Center was followed by a student-led march to the president’s office to hand-deliver a petition demanding Professor Levy’s reinstatement, a public apology, and full transparency on the investigation. The petition had collected over 750 signatures in just five days. As the crowd of students approached the office, LSU Police Department could be seen barricading the doors.

One law student attempted to enter the building to hand the petition to the front desk but was denied. The crowd began to chant “Shame on LSU!” and “Let him hand in the petition!” Winston DeCuir, vice president of Legal Affairs and the general counsel for LSU, exited the building to greet the students, saying, “As law students, I actually think it’s important that you voice your opinion and speak out. I remember being a student myself and engaging in similar activities. I will definitely deliver this to the president.”

Two days later, a Louisiana district judge ordered LSU to reinstate Levy through a temporary restraining order lasting from January 30 till February 10. This will allow Professor Levy to return to his position and prohibits LSU from taking any action against him. Decuir, LSU VP of Legal Affairs who had taken the student’s petition, submitted his letter of resignation after being asked to leave by the university.

Professor Levy’s reinstatement, although temporary, demonstrates the importance of struggling against administration and proved that LSU students are capable of winning their demands. Students are prepared to continue to fight any attacks on free speech the university will throw their way.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech #Trump

Minneapolis, MN – On January 17, supporters held a press conference and packed the room for Robyn Harbison’s pre-trial hearing. He is currently facing a fourth degree felony assault charge after his arrest alongside ten other protestors at the occupation of Morrill Hall at the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society (UMN SDS) was protesting the university’s continued refusal to divest from Israel. Protesters renamed the building to Halimy Hall, after Palestinian student killed by Israel in August 2023.

At the press conference after the rally, several speakers from organizations in the Twin Cities , such as UMN SDS, Minnesota Abortion Action Committee, and Women Against Military Madness spoke out against the unjust political repression being faced by the arrestees, most of whom are current students at the University of Minnesota.

Jess Sundin from Twin Cities Coalition for Justice said about the police response to the Halimy Hall protest, “It is the job of the police to uphold the current status quo. They are violently arresting students, throwing them to the ground and setting bogus charges against them,” adding that the police and the system, “have a vested interest in continuing the genocide.”

Harbison’s trial date has been set for May 5.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovement #Palestine #SDS #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FreeSpeech

Donaldsonville, LA – At 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, about 20 people huddled together in the former Rosenwald School for African American children. The building is now part of the River Road African American Museum and hosted a panel titled, “Defending our Right to Protest.”

Attendees came to hear about how to defend our movements from political attacks. Participants drove in from the host town of Donaldsonville and surrounding cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

Panelist Tuere Burns from Bar None by Design, a nonprofit that supports Black individuals and families impacted by incarceration, spoke about her past as a survivor of police brutality and her work as an organizer for political prisoners. “This wasn’t about individual police,” Burns stated. “This was about the police as a racist institution.”

Toni Jones, the chair of New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police agreed. “Everywhere Black people are taking the lead in fighting for their rights the police are there to repress them,” she said.

Juleea Berthelot, of Liberate and Unite New Orleans Students for a Democratic Society (LUNO SDS) and a student at Loyola University of New Orleans, stated, “We can’t do marches, rallies, even educational events on campus. So, we moved off campus. Now they’re saying we can’t do anything off campus either, or we’ll be suspended.”

Colin Leonard, a member of the Louisiana National Lawyers Guild, also saw political violence on the rise, stating, “The New Orleans Police Department has historically treated protests like a second line. That has begun to change in relation to the protests for Palestine.”

Leonard also spoke about what you can do before arrests happen, stating, “We train people to be legal observers, to take detailed notes on what the police are doing in case anyone gets arrested or the police violate our rights. It can be anyone, not just lawyers.”

The panel also provided attendees with concrete steps to take in case of arrest. “Planned political arrests are an important tool, but you have to be prepared,” said Juleea Berthelot.

Toni Jones spoke about her own arrest at a protest of Tulane University in March of 2024, stating, “It’s really important to pressure the jail from the moment that people are arrested. That looks like jail support, going to the jail in person, and call-ins.”

Remarking on the success of political defense, Jones said, “They were convinced I wasn’t gonna get out of there, I had the orange jumpsuit on and everything. But what political defense does is it lets us take the initiative. I got out that night and was back in the movement.”

Juleea Berthelot also spoke about their trial after their arrest at the Loyola and Tulane encampment last May, stating, “We packed the courts for every court date. At my trial, people were taking turns waiting in the hallway so everyone got a chance to sit in the courtroom with us.”

Berthelot also gave advice on how to build up to court appearances, stating, “You need to be out there and be public about it. Lawyers will tell you not to, but you need to put a face and a name to your case because it characterizes it for people. And you are a person, you’re a part of a community that is under attack.”

Participants concluded by discussing how important it is to unite the movements for change, especially considering the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This panel will be the first of a series hosted by the museum.

#DonaldsonvilleLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FreeSpeech

Fight Back News Service is circulating the Liberate and Unite New Orleans Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) statement on the suspension of Carson Cruse.

On December 13, Loyola University student and SDS member Carson Cruse was suspended for speaking at the Port of New Orleans public hearing in October. Carson was there supporting New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) and their demands which included that New Orleans stop shipping arms to Israel, ends its ties to the Port of Ashdod in Israel, and to suspend its contracts with entities that do business with Israel, i.e. Møller-Mærsk.

During his time speaking, Carson called out Sharonda Williams, Loyola’s General Counsel and a member of the Port of New Orleans Board, for punishing protesters and supporting the genocide as a member of the board. As retaliation, Williams reported Carson to Loyola for allegedly “promoting an unregistered student organization.”

This is yet another blatantly obvious attack on student free speech as Loyola attempts to quell our opposition to the genocide in Palestine.

This code of conduct report resulted in Carson’s suspension from Loyola and banning from campus until May of 2025, when he was set to graduate.

Carson was previously on probation for attending the Popular University for Gaza encampment, where he was arrested but subsequently found not guilty on all charges. Despite the not guilty verdict, Loyola upheld his disciplinary probation feeling as though they are above the law.

Sharonda Williams’ position as a port board member shows that Loyola and administrators of Loyola have very direct ties to Israel. Loyola giving their students sanctions and suspensions for speaking out against Loyola’s ties to genocide is a clear sign of administrative overreach and free speech suppression.

SDS stands for free of speech and demands that Loyola immediately reinstate Carson Cruse and drop all current sanctions on students for Palestine activism.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #Palestine #AntiWar

“It is clear that political repression at USF is directly tied to our support and activism around Palestine and DEI initiatives. While we are filing this with the Office of Civil Rights, we know that the power lies in the hands of the people,” said Connor Jaap of Tampa Bay SDS in a statement read out to the gathering.

The complaint was filed through the Office of Civil Rights in response to the University of South Florida discriminating against Palestinians and pro-Palestine solidarity, a direct violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The USF administration, including Rhea Law, Danielle McDonald, and Will Weatherford, have continuously retaliated and fostered a hostile environment against Palestinians and pro-Palestine student activists, including members of Tampa Bay SDS.

Tampa Bay SDS demands that USF reverse the expulsion of Tampa Bay SDS, and reinstate Tampa Bay SDS as an official registered student organization, remedy the direct harm that the USF administration has caused students by reversing any expulsion, suspension and conduct charges against Tampa Bay SDS members, disclose all investments and divest from all companies that are connected to the Israeli Zionist state, and to drop policy 6-028, a policy that is specifically retaliatory, anti-Palestinian and anti-SDS.

Tampa Bay SDS will continue to organize around the Title VI and its developments and around the ongoing struggle against USF administration and their continuous and political repression directed at the Palestinian cause.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech

New Orleans, LA – About 25 people filled the benches at Municipal Court, December 12, to witness proceedings against two protesters from the Tulane-Loyola University Gaza encampment, which took place this past spring. These Palestine solidarity activists faced misdemeanors for trespassing and resisting arrest. The court dismissed both charges without trial for one of them, Brenna Byrne, because the Tulane University Police Department (TUPD) witness didn’t show up.

Attendants watched closely as the second protester, a Students for a Democratic Society member and Tulane student, stood trial.

Tulane’s attorney, William Barr, was present for the trial and was seen speaking privately with the prosecutor. Two TUPD officers sat beside him – Lieutenant Johnny Miller, in uniform, and Sargeant Vincent Silva, in plain clothes.

A hearing began at 2:15 p.m. The defense made several motions, with the court granting only its motion to exclude evidence. This was essentially a request for any evidence not previously obtained by the defense to be excluded from the trial. The motion was important because the defense had not obtained videos from city crime cameras and Tulane security cameras. TUPD is obligated to provide these videos under its Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the New Orleans Police Department. The defense argued that this implied an “adverse presumption,” meaning Tulane either destroyed or withheld evidence that hurt their case.

After the motions hearing, both sides made opening statements. The prosecution argued that the defendant trespassed onto Tulane’s campus during an “unsanctioned protest.”

“She was asked to leave, but did not leave,” he claimed. He also argued that she had resisted arrest.

The defense attorney’s response was twofold. First, he argued that, as a Tulane student, the defendant had no reason to think she wasn’t allowed on campus. Second, even if she had resisted, which the defense did not concede, any Louisiana resident has the right to resist an unlawful arrest. This is a precedent established by the state’s Supreme Court, in Monroe v. Ducas and New Orleans v. Lyons. The attorney also noted that a horse ridden by NOPD Mounted Patrol kicked the defendant during the arrest.

The prosecution only called one witness, Lt. Miller. During direct examination, Miller testified to having ordered the student to leave. As evidence, the city attorney introduced body camera footage, in which he simply identified the defendant in the corner of a frame.

During cross examination, the defense exposed that Miller did not capture any oral warning or struggle with the defendant on his body-worn camera. He appeared to have no knowledge of any “conspicuous signage” warning against trespassing, as required by Louisiana Revised Statute 14:63 in the absence of a vocal or written notice. Miller also testified to the protest having taken place around 6 p.m. on April 29, 2024, which contradicted his arrest report, dated 2:27p.m. that same day.

During closing arguments, the defense attorney concluded that the Tulane student had every right to be present on her own campus. He also reiterated that an unfounded trespassing charge automatically voids the resisting charge, because a Louisiana resident has every right to resist an unlawful arrest. The judge found the defendant not guilty on both counts.

Both defendants celebrated outside the courthouse after the trial. This victory came after a long political defense campaign, in which protesters regularly called the city attorney and rallied outside the courthouse to demand dropping the charges. Six more encampment protesters are scheduled for trial on trumped-up charges, including one facing felony resisting an officer with force.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS #FreeSpeech

The actions included week-long study-in hosted by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition, and UCF Young Democratic-Socialists of America (YDSA). The goal of the study-in was to build the presence of the pro-Palestinian student movement among the UCF student body while also building momentum for a November 26 rally against the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity’s trumped-up conduct charges against UCF student Chris Gibson for protesting against Israel’s genocide of Palestine.

Study-in: Monday November 18

Students began the study-in at 8:30 by taping signs to the library tables and chairs, as well as laying out educational material, promotional flyers, and Palestinian flags to hand out to students passing by or wanting to join in. The signs contained several slogans, such as “While we are studying, ‘Israel’ is committing genocide” and “UCF divest from death.” At its height on most days, the study-in was made up of 12-15 students, and went as late as 6 p.m.

On the second day of the study-in, a UCF police officer approached the studying demonstrators, saying the taped signs were “improperly attached” to the library tables and chairs and then threatened a student with charges of criminal mischief after the student informed the officer that they were busy because they were studying.

The officer walked to a nearby hallway, where students studying nearby noticed the cops’ presence. Several students passing by then talked with the protesters and joined the study-in, asking if the officer was bothering them. The officer soon left.

After this police interaction, the study-in was approached by a single member of UCF administration, Dr. Kerry Welch, the vice president of Student Engagement and Leadership Development. He informed the student protesters that he had received complaints they were taping signs to university property, after which the students proceeded to tape the signs to their laptops and re-attach the signs to their chairs without the use of tape.

Students and community members collectively wrote about 30 letters demanding the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity drop their conduct charges against UCF student and member of SDS and the Divestment Coalition, Chris Gibson.

Speakout – November 19

On Tuesday, November 19, UCF SDS held a speak-out and tabling session in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition at the Student Union for a National Day of Action called by National Students for a Democratic Society for Trans Day of Remembrance.

Jay Ialongo spoke on behalf of UCF SDS, stating, “Every day it seems we are slowly struggling back to a time before we had the rights that our elders fought so hard for.”

Ialongo went to say, “Our schools make it harder for us to even use the restroom, with anti-trans bathroom policies running rampant throughout colleges across the state, including here at UCF, giving trans students Code of Conduct charges just for having to take a piss.”

Mass meeting and panel – Thursday, November 21

On Thursday. November 21, UCF YDSA hosted a mass meeting and panel featuring speakers from UCF YDSA, SDS, Divestment Coalition, and Central Florida Students for Justice in Palestine. Students packed the classroom with an audience of over 30 attendees. The meeting was started off with the panel speakers each answering questions about their experiences organizing for Palestine on campus, what their organizations’ reactions to the recent presidential election were, and what organizing on UCF campus will look like in the future. Afterwards the panel was opened up to an open audience discussion with the majority of attendees participating.

UCF YDSA has recently begun a divestment referendum campaign, collecting signatures to make disclosure and divestment from weapon manufacturers profiting off of Israel’s genocide in Palestine a votable action for the next campus election cycle.

UCF SDS and the Divestment Coalition were able to collect over 30 signatures through the study-in, contributing to UCF YDSA’s grand total of over 400 petitions signed, out of a required amount of 750.

Rally and march – November 25

The study-in on Monday, November 25, ended at 1 p.m. to join a rally and march called by the UCF Palestinian Student Association. The march had between 30 and 40 students who marched around the Student Union chanting slogans including “From the river to the sea. Palestine will be free” and “UCF, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?”

A heavy police presence of at least 10 or 15 officers on bicycles escorted and maintained a perimeter around the student protests as they marched twice around the student union.

Drop the charges against Chris Gibson rally – November 26

On November 26, UCF SDS mobilized students to the Ferrell Commons, where Chris Gibson’s “formal panel hearing” was taking place, to demand the charges against Gibson be dropped.

At the rally Vanessa Christaldi of UCF SDS stated, “ We know that Chris has not broken any rules, that Chris is simply one of the many people that have spoken up against our university, our city, and our country’s support of Israel’s genocide. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”

Christaldi continued, “The university is unjustly punishing us because they want to protect their financial interests, and we must show them now more than ever that we will continue to push for disclosure and divestment.”. During the rally, passing students signed petitions for divestment.

Chris Gibson is currently facing one felony and one misdemeanor charge for protesting October 7 against Israel’s genocide of Palestine. Gibson is being charged with one count of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting arrest without violence. While Gibson is still waiting for those charges to be filed, the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) decided to pursue code of conduct violations against Gibson.

The formal panel hearing consisted of a panel of two faculty members and two students (picked by SCAI) who listen to testimony given by the student facing charges, and any witnesses called by SCAI and/or the student.

While the arresting officer and officer alleging the original battery charges against Gibson were originally tasked to give witness testimony, the only witness to actually appear at the formal panel hearing was Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF SDS and the Divestment Coalition, who witnessed the Orlando Police Department’s brutal arrest of Gibson at Orlando City Hall.

After each witness gives a testimony of their account of the events, the panel is then able to question the student and witnesses, after which the charged student may give a closing statement, and the panel deliberates. Upon reaching an agreement, the panel sends their findings to the director of SCAI, Ryan Iocco, who has the final authority to approve or deny the findings of the panel. The director of SCAI only has to explain their rationale if they rule against the findings of the panel. Chris Gibson is still waiting to hear back from SCAI, as his formal panel hearing date was set for November 26, the day before UCF campuses close for Thanksgiving break. Gibson’s original felony and misdemeanor charges are still not filed, and he is still awaiting to be granted access to the state’s evidence.

#OrlandoFL #FL #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #SDS

Tampa, FL – On Monday, November 25, a group of students and community members held a rally to demand free speech on campus. The University of South Florida’s (USF) administration continues to deny students the right to free speech and assembly, with police saying they cannot hold events or even leaflet.

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) are demanding that USF stop the repression and drop USF policy 6-028. This new policy, introduced by the USF administration in the summer, puts limits on campus events, requires administration approval of protests, bans bake