Tampa, FL – On May 7, 80 students and community members gathered at the entrance of the University of South Florida (USF) Forest Preserve to demand that USF protect the preserve instead of selling it for development. The protest was hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Save USF Forest Preserve.

On April 1, USF put out a Request for Information to receive business inquiries for developments on the Preserve, the USF Golf Course, and the Riverfront Park. Speakers at the event addressed the importance of the Preserve due to its environmental impact, but also because of its educational purposes.

The Preserve is also a home to several indigenous cultural sites. Members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and Florida Indigenous Rights and Environmental Equality (FIREE) spoke about the importance of preserving the land.

SDS spoke about their campaign to defund the university police. Last fall, USF announced $36.7 million in budget cuts that would mainly affect education and student services. The campus police department’s current budget is over $7 million.

Ben Braver, member of Tampa Bay SDS, stated, “USFPD is an inefficient, incompetent, discriminatory office that needs to be defunded. All they do is arrest protesters. Shield far-right extremists like Kaitlin Bennet, who come to this school seeking to provoke outrage, from the very students they should be protecting.”

Despite the school year being over, SDS plans to continue their campaign to defund the campus police into the summer. They also plan to continue to fight back against USF administration's attempts at cutting down and developing the Forest Preserve.

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #EnvironmentalJustice #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #TampaBaySDS

Tampa, Fl – Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a 20-person protest outside the University of South Florida’s (USF) entrance on April 20 opposing the university’s budget cuts and a state bill restricting the Bright Futures scholarship. Bright Futures provides 75 to 100% of an eligible student’s tuition. USF is implementing $36.7 million in cuts to areas such as student success, financial aid and health services.

Senate Bill 86 initially restricted Bright Futures based on whether a student’s major would lead to employment. The current bill version requires students to complete modules on career outlook for their majors. Many students worry that data from these modules and graduation rates will become evidence to cut scholarships for non-STEM majors.

“This bill really exposes Florida’s true priorities, they only care about students when it’s profitable to them,” said Gia Davila, member of Tampa Bay SDS.

The funding of Bright Futures as a whole may also be subject to change. SB 86 would remove the strict 75-100% tuition coverage and have the program’s budget discussed annually. The bill would make it easier for legislators to reduce Bright Future’s funding. This year, Florida is considering removal of the $600 textbook stipend included with Bright Futures.

“The fact that the bill targets majors that are pursued primarily by marginalized people who already have difficulties securing jobs let alone get equal pay is especially troubling,” said Gareth Dawkins, a member of Tampa Bay SDS.

USF’s budget cuts could have similar consequences to SB 86. Reducing staff, course options, scholarships and health services would negatively impact students and workers. Several positions were eliminated from the athletics department last fall.

“It is absurd to see USF lay off workers and make cuts to our education while simultaneously constructing a $54 million building. They are getting rid of workers who are essential to the quality of our education and the inner workings of the university,” said Laura Rodriguez, a member of Tampa Bay SDS.

USF promised to cut the police budget by 5% last fall. Tampa SDS began demanding USF defund its police after the Justice for George Floyd movement last summer. SDS delayed starting the April 20 event to hear the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial. The organizers agreed that if Chauvin was found not guilty, the protest would have focused on the verdict. After the guilty verdict, protesters still chanted, “Take it to the streets, defund the police! No justice, no peace!” The rest of the event demanded defunding the police as part of SDS’s Chop from the Top campaign.

Tampa SDS will continue to oppose measures that harm students and university workers, at USF across the state of Florida. They plan to continue their fight against the school’s budget cuts into the summer.

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #UniversityOfSouthFlorida

Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) hosted an email-in on Wednesday, May 20, fighting back against the University of South Florida’s administration. Under the panic of the COVID-19 crisis, USF administration has defunded, suspended and effectively disbanded the Video Game Club (VGC) at USF. The student organizers demanded the reinstatement of the VGC, in addition to maintaining students’ prior demands of refunds for ‘distance learning fees’ and all activity and service fees, as the mandatory off-campus learning gives the fees no reason to be charged.

The suspension of student-run Video Game Club came along with the announcement of a new electronic sports, or esports, program hosted by the school. Esports is an industry that has generated over a billion dollars in revenue. The decision to create the program while shutting down the group that has been a student video game club is no coincidence. The actions of the school’s administration highlight the intentions of the university as it focuses on adding programs and punishing student organizations, instead of providing relief and aid for students.

The event was successful in inspiring students to fight back against the administration’s disbanding of other organizations in pursuit of profit. Gareth Dawkins, a student organizer with Tampa SDS said, “This event exposed the amount of power the school has and how they use it to exploit students on both a small and large scale.” Tampa Bay SDS will continue demanding that the university provide aid to students and cancel their fees while continuing the fight to meet these demands through action.

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #TampaBaySDS #VideoGames

Tampa, Fl – On September 10, students at the University of South Florida (USF) participated in a national day of action that was called by National Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to speak out against the Trump administration’s attacks on undocumented immigrants. The event was hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Over 30 students and staff attended.

During President Donald Trump’s tenure, his administration has engaged in escalating attacks against undocumented immigrants. Some of these attacks include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detaining undocumented children in horrid camp conditions indefinitely, and building urban warfare training facilities meant to replicate the conditions of the U.S. Southwest.

Many of these occurrences were addressed in speeches given by SDS members. They also addressed how these attacks on immigrants can be seen on campus and how to fight back against them through their “Immigrants are Here to Stay” campaign.

“We want USF administration to agree to be non-compliant with agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection and ICE, that seek to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. We encourage students to unite with us to protect our fellow immigrant students,” said SDS member, Ilena Scapicchio.

Although a small group of students that support these racist attacks on immigrants tried to halt and distract others from the event, SDS members and attendees chanted, “No Trump, no wall, legalization for all,” against them. The Trump supporters were ultimately silenced.

“We plan on holding more campaign events which will pressure USF administration, and the new university president, Steven Currall, to make policy change in order to make campus safe for undocumented people,” said Scapicchio.

#TampaFL #ImmigrantRights #OppressedNationalities #US #PeoplesStruggles #ChicanoLatino #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #DonaldTrump #TampaBaySDS

Tampa, FL – On February 28, the Tampa Bay chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a Black Lives Matter rally at the University of South Florida for the seventh anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death. In 2012, Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, after returning from a nearby gas station. The trial of Zimmerman became a national phenomenon with him walking free due to Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law. The shooting is still fresh on Florida’s mind, with many questioning the judicial system that let a man off with murder.

The protest was aimed at the judicial system, the police, and the university’s administration, which is not unfamiliar with political scandal. Just last week, the USF administration came under fire for allowing the white supremacist Patriot Front to post flyers around campus and refused to condemn the group’s presence.

The protest saw many students from all backgrounds attend and stand against racism. The roar of the chants condemning the racist system resonated across campus.

“It’s important to hold these rallies so we don’t allow ourselves and our community to forget the vast corruption in our judicial system. You find that many students have not forgotten about it and are outraged at how this country politically functions,” said Tampa Bay SDS member Mia Montano.

The Tampa Bay SDS chapter continues to fight against racist policies and procedures that they face on their campus. This rally was one of many that SDS nationally put on to speak out against racism on campuses all over the country.

#TampaFL #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #TrayvonMartin #USF

Tampa, FL – Over a dozen students from Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held signs and chanted on March 22 to mark the 13th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In 2003, the U.S. launched an illegal invasion of Iraq in order to destabilize the region and secure its own interests. Meanwhile, the people of Iraq continue to suffer from U.S. intervention. Since 1991, the U.S. has been responsible for the death of an estimated 1 million Iraqis due to sanctions and invasions.

Students stood at the corner of a busy intersection at the University of South Florida (USF) holding signs and chanting “Out of Palestine! Out of Iraq! What do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Police tried to stop SDS from chanting but the students stood firmly and continued, “No, no, blood for oil. U.S. off Arab soil!”

“It's important that we remember this anniversary in light of recent revelations of the U.S. military presence in Iraq. U.S. imperialism is always on the move and if we want to stop it we should stay constantly vigilant,” said Gage Lacharite.

In addition, SDS is currently working on a campaign to #ChangeTheName of the CW Bill Young building on campus. Young served on the Johns Committee in the 1960s that persecuted LGBTQIA+ teachers, faculty, students and staff throughout the Florida public university system.

Lacharite stated, “Just as Young’s legacy generates a climate of hate on campus, the U.S. military has a history of cultivating sexism, racism and homophobia among its ranks. Young was an avid supporter of the U.S. military. The USF administration has used this as reasoning for continuing to honor the hateful legacy of Bill Young.”

SDS ended the rally by dedicating themselves to end the presence of Bill Young’s homophobic and militaristic legacy on campus.

#TampaFl #AntiwarMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #PeoplesStruggles #Iraq #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #USF

Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protested Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the University of South Florida on Feb. 12. Over 150 students and activists rallied outside the USF Sun Dome against Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant and anti-refugee agenda.

The Trump event was announced just days before, yet the SDS call to protest was eagerly received by progressive students. Hundreds of flyers were distributed by SDS members to mobilize people against Trump and racist politicians.

Trump advocates the banning of Muslims and deporting undocumented immigrants. An Israeli flag at the entrance to the Trump event announced to everyone that the Wall Street politician backs U.S. wars and occupations in the Middle East.

Elizabeth Kramer of Tampa Bay SDS led the chants opposing Trump’s message of fear, hate and war: “When Muslims are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” and “Donald Trump, shame on you, immigrants are people too!” The big crowd pleaser was, “No more wars, no more hate, Donald Trump get out of our state!”

Protesters echoed the chants enthusiastically, and hundreds heard and saw the demo, as SDS led a march and occupied the street in front of the Sun Dome at the start of the Trump event.

Tampa Bay SDS made the connection between Trump and C.W. Bill Young, whom the ROTC building on campus is named after. Bill Young was a Florida congressmen during the 60s who served on the Johns Committee, which was responsible for the persecution of LGBTQ students and faculty, including at USF. SDS is currently leading a campaign to change the name of the C.W. Bill Young Building.

“While Trump supports depriving legal and civil rights from queers, Bill Young supported proposals which would have made ‘homosexual acts’ a federal offense. The C.W. Bill Young building, which USF administration has regarded as the core of the university, enshrines a legacy of hatred and violence against queers on campus,” said Jack Ling of Tampa Bay SDS.

Jared Austin of Tampa Bay SDS connected Trump’s war mongering to campus military contracts, “Students for a Democratic Society-Tampa is leading a struggle on the USF campus to cut the contracts with U.S. Southern Command and Central Command, who actively use our tuition dollars to do research and recruitment for military operations that destabilize and terrorize the Middle East and Latin America.”

The rally ended on a high note, with many students stating their interest in continuing to build struggle on campus against systemic oppression, and for social change, by joining SDS.

Along with Tampa Bay SDS were the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Raices en Tampa, Students for Justice in Palestine, and USF Bulls for Bernie.

#TampaFl #AntiwarMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #PeoplesStruggles #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #Florida #Elections #DonaldTrump #DumpTrump #USFSDS #TampaBay

Tampa, FL – The University of South Florida (USF) student government passed a resolution to divest from Israel Jan. 19. The vote was 32 to 12, with 5 abstentions. Palestine solidarity activists packed the chamber in the Marshall Student Center at USF to support the resolution, which includes divestment from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid.

Two student government senators, including a member of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), presented the resolution that explained apartheid Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. They also tied it to the historic victories of universities’ divestment from apartheid South Africa, won by student activists in the U.S. in the 1970s and 80s.

Universities across the U.S., including USF, make investments in multi-national corporations like Hewlett Packard (HP) that profit from Israeli apartheid. This reflects the larger relationship between the U.S. government and apartheid Israel. The U.S. funds Israel with over $3 billion a year in military aid. Without this military and financial aid, the Israeli occupation of Palestine could not be sustained.

Just as they did with the divestment from South Africa movement in the 1980s, USF administrators worked to silence, block, and frustrate the students demanding divestment from Israel. At the same time, Zionist student groups like USF Hillel and Bulls for Israel attempt to demonize Palestine solidarity activists at USF. However, SJP and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) continue to protest U.S. support for Israel’s wars and occupation in Palestine, as well as USF complicity in supporting apartheid Israel through investments. The student resolution echoes the call for USF divestment from 2014, when SJP collected 10,000 student petition signatures.

“We will continue to build struggle against USF complicity in the U.S. backed Israeli occupation of Palestine. We will mobilize students to cut the contracts between USF and the U.S. military. We will protest all forms of racism or bigotry on campus like the widely opposed homophobic name of the ROTC building,” said Sam Beutler of Tampa Bay SDS.

#TampaFL #Palestine #StudentsForJusticeInPalestineSJP #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #BDS

Tampa, FL – On Dec. 3, a dozen University of South Florida students gave out hundreds of flyers and dropped a banner in support of affirmative action for African American and Latino students. As part of the National Day to Demand Affirmative Action called by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), chapters held events calling for increased African American enrollment, a defense of affirmative action and an end to racist admissions policies.

On Dec. 9, the Supreme Court will begin hearing Fischer vs. University of Texas-Austin, a case in which a white woman declared that affirmative action for Black and Latino students is unjust and should be ended. In the Bakke vs. University of California case of 1978, the Supreme Court upheld affirmative action, but ended the quota system for advancing equality.

Even after affirmative action policies were upheld, state governments and universities began working to roll them back. Eight states so far, including Florida, have banned affirmative action. Students believe that there is a good chance that the Supreme Court will overturn affirmative action this time, so SDS is mobilizing.

Danya Zituni of Tampa Bay SDS explained, “In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush banned affirmative action in public universities throughout Florida with the One Florida plan. This led to dramatic decreases in Black enrollment across the state. For example, even though Black residents are 20% of the Florida population, Black enrollment at the University of Florida and Florida State University is only at 6% and 7% . If the Supreme Court rules against affirmative action, this will hurt Black enrollment across the entire country.”

Gage Lacharite of Tampa Bay SDS added to the analysis, “Banning affirmative action is one step. Legacy admission for the children of wealthy college alumni is another. And then there are racist testing requirements like the SATs, which are written for wealthy white students.”

Lacharite continued, “After all, university administrators only serve the interests of the highest bidder, and in the end, students lose. Students of all nationalities must unite to beat back campus whitewashing, because students of all nationalities benefit from having more Black and Latino students attending their schools.”

#TampaFL #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #AntiRacism #AffirmativeAction #UniversityOfSouthFlorida

Tampa, FL – On Sept. 15, a dozen students rallied at the University of South Florida (USF) in support of the Iran nuclear deal. Tampa Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other USF students gave speeches and held signs that promoted peace with Iran. The signs condemned the sanctions and upheld the deal as a blow against U.S. political and economic domination.

The deal will limit Iran’s development of nuclear weapons for 15 years. However, this is in exchange for an end to the U.S. sanctions on Iran and a future of a better life for the Iranian people.

“Terrorism is the U.S. sanctioning Iran – as collective punishment against civilians. Sanctions have strangled Iran’s economy, and supporting the Iran deal means an end to the 40 years of these crippling sanctions,” said Danya Zituni, of Tampa SDS.

Zituni continued, “Meanwhile, opposition to the Iran deal in the U.S. has been led by lobby groups for Israel, despite the fact that Israel develops nuclear weapons without oversight. The people of Iran and Palestine starve and suffer, while Israel and the U.S. reap their reward.”

“As students who stand against war, we must unite with the Iran nuclear deal as a method to seek out a better world for us, the Iranian people, and the broader oppressed people of the world who suffer under U.S. aggression worldwide,” said Tampa SDS member Gage Lacharite.

As part of the largest anti-war student group in the country, Tampa SDS is also demanding the university end its military contracts with U.S. Central Command and U.S. Southern Command.

#TampaFL #SDS #Iran #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #NuclearDeal

Tampa, FL – University of South Florida (USF) students rallied in solidarity with protesters in Baltimore, April 30. Over 100 students gathered at the USF library and marched to MLK plaza, chanting “No justice, no peace, no racist police.” Upon reaching MLK plaza, protesters formed a circle, while leading activists gave speeches. The speeches addressed the need to fight for justice in the face of police brutality. Many student speakers denounced the corporate media for lying and distorting.

Jared Austin of Tampa Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) said, “Today was a great day for solidarity on the USF campus in regards to the Baltimore movement that is currently sweeping the nation out of anger and frustration over the execution of Freddie Gray. Today shed light on the fact that the U.S. has long been in need of systematic reform of the racist police institution that has terrorized the Black community for too long. While today was certainly a step in the right direction, we as students need to continue our solidarity and struggle in this fight against racist police and these brutal killings as they happen in our own communities. It’s time to truly show that black lives matter!”

The Tampa police department is in the center of a controversy involving the persecution of African American bicyclists.

“Racism is ingrained into American culture and society, there is no tiptoeing around or reforming it. Law enforcement is no exception. We came together because we wanted to stand in solidarity with Baltimore's Black community and condemn what is one of the many every day realities that they face. If we don't stand together against these atrocities, then nobody will, it is not optional, it is our moral duty as fellow human beings,” said George Nasser, a student at USF.

More Baltimore solidarity protests are planned over the next few days.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #SDS #PoliceBrutality #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #Antiracism #FreddieGray #Baltimore

Tampa, FL – Over a dozen students at the University of South Florida (USF) gathered outside of Russell M. Cooper Hall on campus, March 30, to condemn recent interventions by the U.S. in Venezuela, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. The students made speeches and chanted, attracting other students to listen.

James Kramer of Tampa Students for a Democratic Society explained, “Cloaked in the rhetoric of ‘human rights, democracy and freedom,’ the U.S. ruling class supports invasion and the installation of dictators into countries where they have no influence, but vast interests. These intervention efforts by the U.S. cannot be recognized as anything other than criminal.”

“When the U.S. and the rich of Latin America unite to overthrow progressive governments and worker and student organizations in these countries, poverty and disaster are the effects! We must remember that this is another example of the clear determination that the U.S. has to rule over other countries,” said Marisol Marquez of Raíces en Tampa, an immigrant rights group.

George Nassar of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression said, “It's important that we're gathered here today. Were we not here, these criminal threats would go unchecked. If we don't do this, no one will stop the U.S. bombings, sanctions and coups that have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the last decade.”

Tampa Students for a Democratic Society stands against U.S. intervention of any sort. SDS pledges to continue to fight for the repeal of the University of South Florida memorandums of understanding with USCENTCOM and USSOUTHCOM military commands.

#TampaFL #Venezuela #SDS #PeoplesStruggles #Iraq #Syria #Ukraine #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #Florida #USF #AntiWar

Tampa, FL – On March 10, members of Tampa Students for a Democratic Society disrupted an FBI recruiting event at the University of South Florida (USF). The FBI claimed the event was part of Women's History Month, their goal being to recruit young women as agents of repression. The FBI continues to threaten important women leaders such as Assata Shakur, who is living in exile in Cuba. In the case of the Anti-war 23, many women anti-war leaders were spied upon for two years and then the FBI raided their homes, in a clear case of political repression.

The FBI recruitment presentation came to a quick halt when students rose from their chairs and disrupted the FBI speaker. One student called out, with the other students echoing their words to drown out the FBI. This is known as a mic check, popularized during the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. The students then chanted “FBI out of our mosques, FBI out of our schools!” and walked out.

Sam Beutler, of Students for a Democratic Society said, “The U.S. government is a threat to people around the world, and that includes us within its borders. We need to fight the FBI in the belly of the beast.”

“The FBI is attempting to recruit students at USF by glorifying their repressive practices as ‘protecting America’s security.’ The manner in which they swept aside the FBI's historic repression against both women and students shows the lack of respect that they have for our student body. Students need to unite to fight these reactionary forces on every campus,” explained Danya Zituni, also with SDS.

As the FBI seeks to recruit spies at USF, Tampa Students for a Democratic Society is continuing to shine a light on political repression and religious persecution committed by the FBI.

#TampaFL #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #PoliticalRepression #FBIRecruitment #TampaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

USF has contracts and memorandums of understanding with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). SOUTHCOM is in charge of U.S. military interventions in Latin America. This includes the use of death squads in Colombia and running the torture prisons at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

CENTCOM runs the U.S. wars and occupations in the Middle East, including both Iraq and Afghanistan. The USF memorandums of understanding give the U.S. military access to resources and space on campus to further their agenda of aggression and domination.

“USF's partnership with the military has shown that USF is interested in the continued slaughter of the people of the world. The U.S. military is responsible for the continued training of terrorists, overthrowing of sovereign governments, sanctions that result in the starvation of children and the overall maldevelopment of nations around the world. USF is complicit.”

In December it was revealed that one of the two architects behind the torture techniques at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base did his research at USF. James Elmer Mitchell received his PhD in 1986 at USF and then was paid millions to advise the CIA during the Bush torture years at Guantanamo.

Members of Tampa SDS vowed to escalate the fight against the USF administration and their cooperation with the U.S. military.

#TampaFL #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #USSouthernCommand #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #TampaSDS #USCentralCommand

Gainesville, FL – Two dozen students gathered in Gainesville, July 19, at a Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) day school. Students from the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and for the first time in SDS’s history, from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville attended. Months of planning the day school on SDS National Working Committee phone calls paid off nicely.

The purpose of the day school was two fold. First, the students honed their skills by attending workshops on a variety of topics central to organizing. Students learned how to make a flyer, how to host protests and demos and how to recruit new students to SDS. Second, the students geared themselves up for a new semester at their respective universities this fall by sharpening their political ideas and campaign plans.

The workshops also included learning how to do outreach and agitation among students to build for campaigns, and what the difference was between working in coalitions and broader united front work. The day school ended with dinner and a social that night.

SDSers went home fired up to build the student movement and fight back against injustice on their campuses and in the community this fall. Morale was high; especially after Florida SDS chapters worked together this past spring to win a campaign for undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates while attending college – the Tuition Equity campaign. Organizers plan to build on this and other successes.

Tampa Bay SDS organizer Jessica Schwartz said, “All the Florida chapters share similar concerns over transferal of leadership to younger organizers. The purpose of this is to help empower them to take leadership in SDS.”

Jacksonville SDS Organizer C.O. Scanlan said, “For someone just beginning his active involvement in an organization, the day school was incredibly encouraging. It put in clear, concrete terms the steps I need to take in providing the student struggle with another point of focus.”

Tallahassee SDS Organizer Zachary Schultz said, “The day school was an excellent opportunity to share our experiences organizing, and build unity around the methods which will lead the next generation of student activists to victory: militancy and organization.”

The main on- the-ground organizer of the day school, Michela Martinazzi from Gainesville SDS, said, “As many of the veteran SDSers graduate and move on to other struggles, it’s important that that newer organizers keep the same militant line and methods of organizing. I think today proved that all generations of SDS are organizing on the same page.”

To contact National SDS to talk about how to host a student organizer training or start an SDS chapter by visiting http://www.newsds.org/contact.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #FloridaStateUniversity #USF #UF #UniversityOfFlorid #FSU #Activism

Jared Hamil of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression in Tampa Bay said, “It is great news and people are saying this should have happened years ago. The government never had a case. It was just political repression and the stifling of free speech. It is big news here in Tampa.”

Professor Al-Arian is a Palestinian American civil rights and Palestine solidarity activist arrested and put on trial for aiding the Palestinian resistance organization Islamic Jihad in 2003. At the time of his arrest U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft held a press conference announcing the professors arrest to the nation. In the U.S. war on terror, Sami Al-Arian was the big test case.

The U.S. government spent more than ten years spying on Al-Arian and intercepting more than 400,000 phone calls. However the U.S. prosecutors could not get a guilty verdict from jurors on any of the 17 charges.

After spending two years in jail while on trial and faced with another trial and more years away from his family, Al-Arian made a plea deal, agreeing to leave the country and going into political exile. Then things turned ugly and the U.S. prosecutors tried to use their power to punish Al-Arian. Instead of letting professor Al-Arian serve time and leave the country as agreed in negotiations, U.S. prosecutors demanded Al-Arian testify at a federal grand jury in Virginia, which he refused to do based on his agreement with the government. He then was charged with contempt and jailed. Since 2008 he has lived under house arrest.

Hatem Abudayyeh, one of the Antiwar 23 with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression said, “We are extremely pleased that this chapter in the repression of Professor Al-Arian and his family is over. What the U.S. government did to him is a travesty. Palestinians, Arab Americans, and Muslims in this country have been the target of political repression since the 911 attacks. My friends and myself are still part of an unending investigation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas here in Chicago. Just like Al-Arian’s case, there is no crime or wrongdoing and we demand Jonas end the assault on us as well.”

In a related case, the U.S. government is putting a 67-year-old Palestinian woman and survivor of torture on trial in Detroit, September 8. Arab American women’s leader Rasmea Odeh is was physically tortured and sexually assaulted by Israeli military personnel and then convicted and imprisoned in 1969. The U.S. prosecutors are claiming she lied on a 20-year-old immigration application by not detailing her torture and imprisonment by the Israeli occupation. Anti-war activists across the country see this as further political repression by Justice Department officials and are planning a large rally and to pack the Detroit courtroom with supporters.

#TampaFl #TampaFL #DrSamiAlArian #PoliticalPrisoners #Racism #politicalRepression #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #InjusticeSystem #Florida #SamiAlArian #USF #Politics #Professor

Jared Hamil of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression in Tampa Bay said, “It is great news and people are saying this should have happened years ago. The government never had a case. It was just political repression and the stifling of free speech. It is big news here in Tampa.”

Professor Al-Arian is a Palestinian American civil rights and Palestine solidarity activist arrested and put on trial for aiding the Palestinian resistance organization Islamic Jihad in 2003. At the time of his arrest U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft held a press conference announcing the professors arrest to the nation. In the U.S. war on terror, Sami Al-Arian was the big test case.

The U.S. government spent more than ten years spying on Al-Arian and intercepting more than 400,000 phone calls. However the U.S. prosecutors could not get a guilty verdict from jurors on any of the 17 charges.

After spending two years in jail while on trial and faced with another trial and more years away from his family, Al-Arian made a plea deal, agreeing to leave the country and going into political exile. Then things turned ugly and the U.S. prosecutors tried to use their power to punish Al-Arian. Instead of letting professor Al-Arian serve time and leave the country as agreed in negotiations, U.S. prosecutors demanded Al-Arian testify at a federal grand jury in Virginia, which he refused to do based on his agreement with the government. He then was charged with contempt and jailed. Since 2008 he has lived under house arrest.

Hatem Abudayyeh, one of the Antiwar 23 with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression said, “We are extremely pleased that this chapter in the repression of Professor Al-Arian and his family is over. What the U.S. government did to him is a travesty. Palestinians, Arab Americans, and Muslims in this country have been the target of political repression since the 911 attacks. My friends and myself are still part of an unending investigation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas here in Chicago. Just like Al-Arian’s case, there is no crime or wrongdoing and we demand Jonas end the assault on us as well.”

In a related case, the U.S. government is putting a 67-year-old Palestinian woman and survivor of torture on trial in Detroit, September 8. Arab American women’s leader Rasmea Odeh is was physically tortured and sexually assaulted by Israeli military personnel and then convicted and imprisoned in 1969. The U.S. prosecutors are claiming she lied on a 20-year-old immigration application by not detailing her torture and imprisonment by the Israeli occupation. Anti-war activists across the country see this as further political repression by Justice Department officials and are planning a large rally and to pack the Detroit courtroom with supporters.

#TampaFL #DrSamiAlArian #PoliticalPrisoners #Racism #politicalRepression #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #InjusticeSystem #Florida #SamiAlArian #USF #Politics #Professor

Tampa, FL – Tampa Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and anti-war activists from the community protested U.S. interference in Ukraine at Senator Marco Rubio's office, April 16. Marco Rubio supports efforts in the U.S. Senate to increase U.S. intervention and spend billions of taxpayer dollars in Ukraine. Students made three demands at Rubio’s office on the University of South Florida campus: No more U.S. intervention in Ukraine or Crimea; Stop U.S. aid to the illegitimate Ukrainian regime; and Oppose U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Students gave fiery speeches denouncing Rubio's support for U.S. intervention. Dani Leppo of Tampa SDS said, “For far too long, the imperialist aggression of the U.S. has caused bloodshed throughout the world. From Colombia to Venezuela, Iraq to Afghanistan, resources and lives are stolen in the name of spreading so-called ‘democracy.’ We must respect the people of Ukraine and Crimea.”

When they finished speaking, the protesters marched into Rubio's office to present their demands. The office was closed off and locked however, so protesters left a letter to Rubio listing their demands.

SDS pointed out that the U.S. spent trillions on wars and foreign interventions while people suffered at home. Tampa SDS member Bridget White noted, “It’s ridiculous that the U.S. is backing real life fascists in the Ukraine. Can’t they be using this money to lower tuition instead?”

SDS vows to continue the struggle against imperialism, fascism and Nazism wherever it appears.

#TampaFL #AntiwarMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #Ukraine #USImperialism #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #SenatorRubio #antifascism

Tampa, FL – The Student Government Senate at the University of South Florida (USF) passed a resolution supporting in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant students from Florida, Nov. 12. Out-of-state tuition is three times more than in-state tuition. Currently, undocumented immigrant students who graduate from Florida high schools have to pay the higher, out-of-state tuition.

Tampa Bay SDS came out in full force to support the resolution along with a host of representatives from other organizations also sympathetic to the cause. The Student Government Senate was largely supportive of the measure, but there were student senators who sought to prevent the vote from happening.

Cindy Ibarra, a Chicana student at USF said, “In-state tuition for students at the University of South Florida needs to pass. Student government is concerning itself with the details when this is simply a resolution of general support. The details can be done by us, the students.”

The in-state tuition proposition is part of a larger struggle by undocumented students to gain access to the educational facilities that they help fund through paying taxes. Florida students are leading the way in building a national movement for equality on campus.

The USF Board of Trustees will be meeting Dec. 5 and discussing this student motion. Tampa Bay SDS plans to pack the meeting, showing public support for this reform.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #undocumentedImmigrants #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #TampaSDS

Tampa, FL – On Oct. 7, members of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protested against Rosaria Butterfield, a self-described former “radical lesbian feminist turned pastor’s wife.” Butterfield now writes and gives lectures opposing homosexuality and advocating for evangelical Christianity. She believes that homosexuality is a sin and that her pride in being a lesbian was an even greater sin.

During Butterfield’s speech at the University of South Florida (USF), nine students in the front row stood up, turned their backs to her, and revealed shirts that had pro-LGBTQ messages written on the front and back. The shirts had messages such as “Hate speech is not free speech” and “Rosaria Butterfield does not speak for us”. Under the watchful guard of Tampa Police, private security and USF administrators, the protesters stood for the entirety of her speech as onlookers took pictures and gave approval to the protest act. The protesters then silently filed out of the auditorium as Butterfield called on audience members to ask questions.

During the question and answer session, support for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff, and the protesters was overwhelmingly. The glaring contradictions in Butterfield’s views were apparent as audience members questioned her on her stance that both homosexuality and homophobia are sins.

After the lecture, SDS joined the PRIDE Alliance and progressive students and churches in a rally. Groups set up tables to show support for the LGBTQ community and progressive causes.

Catherine Lim, a member of SDS, had this to say about the protest action, “We realized that we could not allow hate speech on our incredibly diverse campus. Forming a human chain of ‘love’ and turning our backs on hate sent the message that students will fight back against reactionary speech and confront bigotry directly.”

Expressions of support for the protest from students, faculty, staff and community members continued for days afterward.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #SDS #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #RosariaButterfield