USF Students for Justice in Palestine

Students taking part in a hunger strike gathered in the Marshall Student Center lobby in Tampa ahead of the USF Board of Trustees meeting Monday.

A federal judge dismissed cases involving the Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at USF and UF. Both groups have the option to refile their cases or appeal the ruling.

A federal judge refused to take action against Florida in a lawsuit challenging an order to deactivate pro-Palestinian student groups at state universities.

A federal judge Friday heard arguments in lawsuits filed by pro-Palestine student groups against the state, alleging First Amendment violations.

Attorneys for DeSantis and the university system are arguing for dismissal of the lawsuits by the groups Students for Justice in Palestine at UF and USF.

Groups like the Bay Area Dream Defenders are calling for leaders to cut off funding to Israel and support a ceasefire. They also want the Tampa Bay Palestinian community — one of the largest in Florida — to be heard.

The State University System chancellor responded on The Florida Roundup to controversial congressional testimony by the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania about antisemitism.

Chair Will Weatherford said "it's our obligation as a public university to uphold the constitutional right of free speech and open dialogue" following recent Pro-Palestinian rallies on USF's campuses.

The lawsuit was filed in response to a State University System order to disband the Students for Justice in Palestine campus groups.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and more state officials are facing a lawsuit over a ban on a pro-Palestinian student group. ACLU officials said the order is a "blatant violation of the First Amendment."

The lawsuit says out students' right to gather "is a fundamental precursor to their political and ideological expression.”

The American Civil Liberties Union is filing a lawsuit over the state's order to ban the University of Florida's chapter of 'Students for Justice in Palestine.'