Ten protesters were arrested at an anti-Israel rally that turned chaotic on Tuesday at the University of South Florida campus in Tampa. The rally, which drew around 75 to 100 protesters, quickly escalated as authorities deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The protesters, some of whom were not affiliated with the university, arrived with wood shields, umbrellas, and tents. Concerns arose when social media posts indicated that some participants planned to bring weapons to resist university staff and campus police.
The arrests occurred near Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on campus, the same location where three individuals were arrested the day before for similar protests. The university issued a 5 p.m. deadline for protesters to disperse, deeming the demonstration unlawful.
Police intervened with tear gas after declaring the protest no longer lawful, leading to the arrests of ten individuals. Atah Othman, 39, was charged with various offenses including possession of a firearm on school property. The other individuals arrested faced charges such as unlawful assembly, trespassing, resisting officers with or without violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
One protester, Emmanuel Atmosfera, 21, was charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony with a weapon. Atah Othman, who brought a firearm to the protest, was released on bond shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
The University of South Florida campus witnessed a tense situation as authorities worked to maintain order and ensure the safety of all individuals involved. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful and lawful demonstrations on college campuses.
