This week, a pupil kick led by scholars for a Popular Society( SDS) at the University of South Florida regressed into a hassle after lot police interposed, with vids showing four protestors — three of them scholars being arrested. Not unlike the scores of other recent demonstrations at sodalities across the state, Lauren Pineiro, a representative from the group, told Jezebel via phone call that the scholars were protesting Governor Ron DeSantis ’ attempts to ban diversity and addition enterprise in seminaries outside of the office of Rhea Law, the university’s chairman.

“ We were only in there( the structure wherein Law’s office is located) for perhaps two twinkles before the Chief of Police, Chris Daniels, approached us and was incontinently violent, Pineiro told Jezebel. “ Everything just kind of evolved from there. ”

The group’s demands were simple, Piniero explained. First, they wanted the university to continue its hunt for a Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Addition( DEI) — an trouble that was halted in the wake of DeSantis ’ January advertisement that he'd defund Critical Race proposition( CRT) and DEI enterprise and push legislation to enjoin state seminaries from supporting diversity, equity, and addition programs. also, the group asked that the university reinstate the DEI commission in the College of trades and lores.( All six members of the commission abnegated in 2020 after claiming they were being ignored by the administration.) Incipiently, the scholars demanded the administration release a public statement outlining its commitment to cover diversity, equity, and addition programs and to condemn DeSantis ’ attacks.

“ Black registration is declining, and is actually the smallest it’s ever been in the last 14 times, at 9.1%, ” Pineiro added, noting that it’s a central concern for the group. Records listed on the university’s website confirm the population has downscaled from 12% in the 2008- 2009 academy time, to 9.5% in 2021- 2022, the last recorded academy time.( Representatives from the university didn't give comment, rather directing Jezebel’s request to lot police.)

According to Pineiro, the kick began in the Marshall Student Center, where speeches took place. also, the scholars( reportedly 25) marched to the Patel Center for Global results, where Law’s office is located, for a “ peaceful sit- heft. ”

Vids posted to social media appear to show officers assaulting protestors after they refused to leave the structure until Law agreed to meet with them. Though lot police told ABC Action News that the scholars were the raiders as they refused to leave the structure after being instructed by officers, Pineiro begs to differ.

“ It’s just kind of surprising that they met us with similar force right from the morning, ” Pineiro told Jezebel. “ We did n’t really have a chance to leave and we tried to lessen. ”

“ They put their hands on utmost of the people there — especially the women and trans people who were present, ” she added.

Posts on the SDS Instagram runner say the protestors were “ brutalized ” by lot police for speaking out. When communicated for comment, Michael Lavelle, a representative for the lot police department, told Jezebel via dispatch “ One officer was pushed to the ground and suffered minor injuries, while other officers were also shoved by protestors. Protestors hit police with objects, including what officers believe was a videotape camera and a water bottle, and threw an unidentified liquid at officers. ”

Eventually, apprehensions were made. Among those detained were Gia Davila, a 21- time-old USF pupil; Laura Rodriguez, a 23- time-old USF alumna; Jeanie Kida, a 26- time-old USF pupil; and Chrisley Carpio, a 31- time-old USF hand. The four have ago been released on bail, but presently face charges of assault or battery of law enforcement officers. Pineiro said it’s the group’s stopgap that the university will drop the charges.

This kick is one of numerous in the last six months in direct response to DeSantis ’ culture wars. For several weeks, scholars at New College, a liberal trades council in Sarasota, have reviled against the governor since he appointed six conservative members to the university’s board of trustees. Last month, scholars from the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of North Florida walked out of classes in kick of DeSantis ’ inspection of DEI enterprise.

“ We're also going to exclude all DEI and CRT bureaucracies in the state of Florida. No backing. And that will wither on the vine, ” DeSantis said in January.

Meanwhile, Pineiro asserted the SDS will continue to push for their demands to be addressed “ We ’re allowed to protest, especially in a academy that we pay plutocrat to attend, so we really just want the academy to stand with us in solidarity. ”