Orlando, FL - On Monday, September 23, several student and community groups rallied at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to demand justice for a Palestinian protester targeted by university administration.

The protester, a recent UCF alumna planning to begin graduate classes in the fall, had been trespassed from the university after participating in several peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus in the beginning of the summer. She was singled out by university police, who followed her to her car after she and several others had passed out flyers after a graduation ceremony. She was also the only person involved in these demonstrations to face any sort of disciplinary action. She did not know this was going to happen, it was sprung on her after a July academic advising appointment. The student was then told by UCFPD that she is prohibited from attending classes or setting foot on university property, indefinitely.

The group of about 30 demonstrators who gathered on Monday evening near the Reflection Pond demanded that the university drop the trespass charges and allow the student to attend classes again. They also demanded disclosure of the university’s investments, and for the university to divest from weapons manufacturers and Israeli companies involved in the genocide in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine.

Groups present included the UCF Divest Coalition, Healing our Homeland, Central Florida Queers for Palestine, Orlando for Peace, and UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

“Many students on campus are involved in organizing for our collective liberation, and yet the university and the UCF police department chose to target one of the only Palestinian organizers on this campus,” said Reem Elkhaldi, a local attorney and executive director of Healing Our Homeland.

Elkhaldi continued, “We have to realize that the weapons we are supporting on this campus – that they are pushing the students on this campus to go and build when they graduate, those weapons are being tested on my family and friends in the Gaza strip. We refuse to accept genocide as normal. We will not surrender to immoral administrators and state agents and accept the oppression of others in exchange for new sporting equipment and endless cupcakes at the holiday parties.”

The rally came just days after the Orlando Police Department brutalized and arrested eight pro-Palestine demonstrators in downtown Orlando after a march for Lebanon, and days before the UCF board of trustees is set to vote on new protest regulations. These regulations include a ban on masks at rallies and a requirement for all individuals on university property to identify themselves to university officials and law enforcement.

The speakers condemned the ongoing repression. “Our administration will go through all of this effort to silence our demands and will at the same time pat themselves on the back for listening to the student body,” stated Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

Polzer continued, “Our administration is repeatedly demonstrating to us that they are actively hostile to what we are demanding. They would like to just sit by and profit off the genocide while banning students from campus indefinitely for speaking out and demanding divestment. Our university does in fact care about what we say, and they want us to shut up, but we’re not going anywhere.”

As the rally grew in size and energy, students made clear that the intensified repression and intimidation would not deter the spirit of the student movement for divestment and the freedom to protest. Students chanted, “Shame on you, UCF! Feeding the machine of death!” One sign read: “We are not going anywhere! Disclose and divest!”

As the rally came to a close and students were getting ready to disperse back to their vehicles, the sprinklers were turned on around the Reflection Pond, but only on the side where the rally was taking place. While a few signs were destroyed, this laughable display of hostility had no real effect. The student movement continues to grow in size and strength, and a week of action for Palestine has been planned.

#OrlandoFL #FreePalestine #StudentIntifada #PoliticalRepression #Divest #UCFSDS #SDS

Orlando, FL – On June 27 and 28, the Florida board of governors held a meeting in the Student Union of the University of Central Florida. On June 27, various subcommittees met to discuss actions that would be up for vote the next day, including giving the UCF football department $100 million in funding despite teachers and faculty receiving news last semester that they would not be receiving a pay raise.

On June 28, approximately ten speakers arrived at the board of governors meeting to give public comment on numerous items on the agenda such as updating the Florida New College’s “Master Plan” and the board’s decision to delist “Principles of Sociology” from the core course list earlier in the year. 

Delisting the course means that the class would no longer satisfy the general education core class requirements for students. Nearly every speaker, including one member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), had their microphones cut off for “not speaking on items on the agenda.” Public comment lasted no more than ten minutes, with the board of governors continuing on with the meeting without acknowledgment of the comments given by those in attendance.

Several members of the audience who gave public comment, spoke up against the board of governors, stating that it was absurd to be cut off when they drove hours to attend the meeting and not even be acknowledged. The members of the audience who spoke up were then ordered to leave the meeting and were escorted by police out of the room.

At 10:30 a.m. the same day, over 25 students, including members of the audience who were cut off, gathered outside the front of the Student Union to rally against the Florida board of governor’s support of the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters and assault on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Several in attendance had driven from other universities in the state such as Florida State University and the University of Florida. One attendee held a sign stating, “Fund DEI not genocide.” 

Muahbohn Dahn, an organizer with Florida Student Power, explained the effects that bills such as SB 266 will have on students and their education, stating, “This bill doesn’t just defund our diversity, equity and inclusion offices in the state, but attacks our courses in general. Any course that has to do with critical race theory or critical gender theory were all removed from our catalogue, because they know if we are able to sociologically look into the systems that have been placed around us, we will see they ways in which they continue to oppress us.”

Ladara Royal, an educator and union leader of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, further elaborated, “It is said that public school education is the great equalizer. However, that dream has become under attack in Florida. You cannot have innovation when everyone in the room looks and thinks the same.”

Despite heavy heat and the presence of police, the students rallied outside the Student Union for an hour as the board of governors exited their meeting.

Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF SDS who was among those that were cut off during public comment, stated, “The Florida board of governors herald themselves as supporters of higher education and students, yet they can’t spare more than 15 minutes every three months to listen to public comment. This board has the power to dismantle entire majors. We students are a vital part of this University, and we will not be silenced.”

Madalyn Propst, a student from FSU spoke out further against the board’s recent undemocratic decisions, stating, “They think it is their God-given right to govern against the interests of students. We will not be complacent in their hatred; we will not sit idly by while they take our rights away.”

The rally and press conference were held by Florida Student Power and Youth Action Fund in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition and UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

#OrlandoFL #DEI #UCFSDS #FloridaStudentPower #YouthActionFund #UCFDivestmentCoalition

The rally took place at Memory Mall facing the Addition Financial Arena, where UCF was holding a graduation ceremony.

Graduates and attendees walking out of the commencement ceremony were met with the sight of student protesters. Many walking back to their cars stayed and chanted with the pro-Palestine demonstrators. Some of the chants consisted of “Whose school? Our school!” And “45,000 dead and you’re arresting kids instead,” referencing the over 2000 student protesters who have been arrested nationwide for pro-Palestinian activism.

Lamia Moukaddam, an organizer with Healing Our Homeland, explained to the crowd, “When you go and call this a war and not a genocide, that’s a lie and it’s murdering people,” elaborating on what the chant “Every time the media lies, a neighborhood in Gaza dies” means, since the mainstream Western media consistently portrays Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people as a war between two equal forces.

Tamara Yousef, an organizer with the UCF Divestment Coalition stated, “UCF’s investment portfolios are incredibly hidden and difficult to find. We want them to divest from these companies that we had to seriously search for to even find that they were partnering with.”

Despite some initial rain and the presence of nearly 100 police officers of varying departments surrounding the demonstration, the rally continued as planned without incident for over two hours. This event was created by the UCF Divestment Coalition in collaboration with UCF SDS, UCF YDSA, Florida Student Power, CFL Queers for Palestine, and Healing Our Homeland.

#OrlandoFL #UCF #SDS #UCFSDS #FreePalestine #Divest #BDS

Orlando, FL – On April 26, an informal student conduct hearing was held at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in the political repression case of Marcus Polzer, a UCF Students for a Democratic Society member.

While Polzer is officially facing two counts of disruptive conduct, police reports cite “larceny/property damage and criminal mischief” as reasons for the student conduct report. These charges stem from the organizer putting up UCF SDS meeting flyers and pro-Palestine leaflets on outdoor light posts and community spaces.

During the informal hearing, Polzer pleaded not guilty to the charges and expressed how they are being selectively enforced, exposing the political nature of the discipline attempts.

Despite Florida law expressly protecting free speech on college campuses, specifically in outdoor spaces, UCF Student Conduct and Academic Integrity has continued its campaign targeting pro-Palestine sentiment on campus like UCF SDS. The informal hearing was the first step in the disciplinary process, with a formal teacher-student meeting to be held on May 15 at 1:30 p.m.

UCF SDS demands, “Hands off the student movement!”

#OrlandoFL #SDS #UCF #UCFSDS #FreePalestine

Orlando, FL – 25 students gathered at the University of Central Florida, March 4, to protest the presence of Lockheed Martin on their campus. UCF Students for a Democratic Society organized the rally outside of what was meant to be a “Diversity Panel” hosted by the weapons manufacturer, which has supplied weapons to Israel for the ongoing occupation and war against the people of Palestine.

As they rallied outside of the Career Services and Experiential Learning Building, student protesters chanted, “Free Palestine!” and “Israel bombs, Lockheed supplies, end the Gaza genocide!” A large banner held be several activists read,” Lockheed Martin bombs hospitals.”

The group listened to various impassioned speakers who denounced the Israeli occupation, the ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian people, and the attempt by Lockheed Martin to pinkwash its reputation by recruiting a more “diverse” workforce to its blood-stained ranks. The students of UCF didn’t buy it.

“By selling weapon systems and aircraft to Israel, Lockheed Martin isn’t just complicit, but an active enabler of Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Marcus Polzer, co-founder and lead organizer with UCF SDS. “And if UCF actively help Lockheed Martin’s recruitment of employees thought the College Work Experience Program, then our university is complicit in genocide. Get these war profiteers off of our campus.”

Within an hour of the start of the protest, a major victory was announced.

It was confirmed that Lockheed Martin had moved its event off campus. It was not clear whether it was the University of Central Florida that gave in to the students’ demands and kept Lockheed Martin from meeting on college ground, or whether the weapons manufacturer itself was scared off by the students’ presence and promise of further direct action.

“This is a great victory for the students of UCF,” said Polzer. “And proof that direct action, ongoing protests, and organizing on the ground, work. And we will continue to agitate for justice on this campus, and for a free Palestine.”

#OrlandoFL #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #UCFSDS

Orlando, FL – 25 students gathered at the University of Central Florida, March 4, to protest the presence of Lockheed Martin on their campus. UCF Students for a Democratic Society organized the rally outside of what was meant to be a “Diversity Panel” hosted by the weapons manufacturer, which has supplied weapons to Israel for the ongoing occupation and war against the people of Palestine.

As they rallied outside of the Career Services and Experiential Learning Building, student protesters chanted, “Free Palestine!” and “Israel bombs, Lockheed supplies, end the Gaza genocide!” A large banner held be several activists read,” Lockheed Martin bombs hospitals.”

The group listened to various impassioned speakers who denounced the Israeli occupation, the ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian people, and the attempt by Lockheed Martin to pinkwash its reputation by recruiting a more “diverse” workforce to its blood-stained ranks. The students of UCF didn’t buy it.

“By selling weapon systems and aircraft to Israel, Lockheed Martin isn’t just complicit, but an active enabler of Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said Marcus Polzer, co-founder and lead organizer with UCF SDS. “And if UCF actively help Lockheed Martin’s recruitment of employees thought the College Work Experience Program, then our university is complicit in genocide. Get these war profiteers off of our campus.”

Within an hour of the start of the protest, a major victory was announced.

It was confirmed that Lockheed Martin had moved its event off campus. It was not clear whether it was the University of Central Florida that gave in to the students’ demands and kept Lockheed Martin from meeting on college ground, or whether the weapons manufacturer itself was scared off by the students’ presence and promise of further direct action.

“This is a great victory for the students of UCF,” said Polzer. “And proof that direct action, ongoing protests, and organizing on the ground, work. And we will continue to agitate for justice on this campus, and for a free Palestine.”

#OrlandoFL #LockheedMartin #UCF #FreePalestine #HandsOffGaza #SDS #Pinkwashing #UCFSDS