Ron DeSantis Explains Why Florida’s No-Nonsense Approach to Anti-Israel Campus Encampments Works

Ron DeSantis Explains Why Florida’s No-Nonsense Approach to Anti-Israel Campus Encampments Works

Unlike the feckless administrators at higher education institutions like Columbia University and Northwestern University, leaders at Florida-based universities like Florida State and the University of Florida have taken no-nonsense approaches to dealing with anti-Israel campus encampments.

For instance, after nine protesters were arrested Monday at the University of Florida after days of warnings about how they were violating school policy on what was and wasn’t allowed during demonstrations, its spokesman, Steve Orlando, issued the following statement:

“This is not complicated: The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children — they knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they’ll face the consequences. For many days, we have patiently told protesters — many of whom are outside agitators — that they were able to exercise their right to free speech and free assembly. And we also told them that clearly prohibited activities would result in a trespassing order from UPD (barring them from all university properties for three years) and an interim suspension from the university. For days UPD patiently and consistently reiterated the rules. Today, individuals who refused to comply were arrested after UPD gave multiple warnings and multiple opportunities to comply.”

After a similar situation unfolded at Florida State, their spokesperson did not apologize for how it was handled by campus police:

“Tuesday afternoon Florida State University Police arrested five individuals at the site of a demonstration on Landis Green where a small group had been assembling for multiple days. Anyone who was arrested today made a conscious choice to engage in unlawful conduct. The university’s rules and regulations had been explained repeatedly over several days and the group had been compliant until this afternoon. Today’s arrests occurred after the individuals ignored multiple requests and warnings to comply with a lawful order.”

“Two of the five arrested have been confirmed as current FSU students.”

“Florida State University cherishes and upholds freedom of speech and all the other rights we enjoy in this country. However, the expression of these rights must comply with university regulations and the law. FSU places equal value on the right of the campus community to engage in learning and teaching without harassment or disruption.”

There has also been how law enforcement has approached street protests in cities like Tampa and Miami, by dragging those who impede roadways to sidewalks and dumping them there, where they were later arrested.

During a press conference Tuesday announcing a tax holiday, a reporter asked DeSantis, “How do you make sure Florida colleges don’t cross the line into suppressing speech” during these protests? DeSantis gave a roughly five-minute answer explaining how people have a right to express their opinions but that they did not have the right to intimidate, harass, and essentially take other students hostage, nor impede their access to the campus.

DeSantis cited how Columbia had handled their anti-Israel encampment (before the NYPD’s recent intervention) and suggested it was absolutely the wrong approach, saying that the lunatics should not be running the asylum:

“I think they are walking the line right. You have a right to say what you want. You have a right to express your opinions. You don’t have a right to commandeer a lawn on a university campus. You don’t have a right to harass other people. You don’t have a right to physically impede – you know Columbia, some of these students are taking people captive now. They’re overrunning the school. That is the inmates running the asylum, that doesn’t work. And so in Florida you can say things. You can have positions – that’s fine. But we’re not going to allow you set up a tent city in the middle of the university. That is not going to happen here,” said DeSantis, who got a big cheer in the audience.

[…]

They are doing things that are far beyond them just expressing their opinions and I think that as much as I disagree with their opinions, they have a right to do that. But you don’t have a right to commandeer the university. You don’t have a right to disrupt or harass or intimidate or do all those other things.

“And I think that people are looking at Florida’s universities and saying, ‘Why can’t this happen at other places?’ and you know why it doesn’t happen there. Because there’s never any consequences for any of the malcontents. They can do whatever they want, and basically they get a slap on the wrist. Well of course you’re not going to see a change in behavior. Florida if you are violating appropriate conduct, especially if you’re warned. You can be expelled.”

DeSantis also noted that Florida was relaxing some of their transfer restrictions to make it easier for college students who wanted to “flee” the “hostile environments” at places like Columbia to come to a more welcoming place.

Watch (starts at about 21:00 into the clip below):

Governor DeSantis Announces the Freedom Month Tax Holiday https://t.co/mEh8wUuSH3

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 30, 2024

Bravo to Gov. DeSantis and the Florida colleges who are making critically important distinctions between what protecting free speech means versus non-nonsense policies designed to make schools safe, secure, and welcoming for others, especially at a time when cries of “First Amendment violations” are reaching fever pitch.

— Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym “Sister Toldjah” and can be reached via Twitter. —

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