Students and supporters are calling for charges to be dropped against the “USF 13,” who were arrested in a pair of on-campus protests at the end of April.
However, Erin Maloney, communications director for the state attorney, said it’s not that easy.
“When people talk about asking for reduced charges, that’s kind of just not the way it works,” Maloney said.
The 13 protesters were arrested during an encampment while demanding that the university disclose its investment portfolio and divest from companies that support Israel.
Related: Pro-Palestine encampment protest at USF broken up by tear gas
Among the group are five USF students, a WUSF employee and three alumni, according to university spokesperson Althea Johnson.
Several protesters were charged with misdemeanors, including trespassing, unlawful assembly and resisting arrest.
Alumnus Simon Rowe was one of the protesters arrested in the April 29 protest facing a misdemeanor charge. Rowe was arrested after setting up a tent despite being told not to, according to an affidavit.
Related: Several protestors at USF arrested during pro-Palestine encampment protest
In a speech posted to Instagram outside the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa on May 21, Rowe said he pleaded not guilty to his misdemeanor charges.
“I’m one of the USF 13,” he said in the video. “I was one of the protesters who wanted to take a stand against USF’s investments in Israel and to protest the genocide in Palestine on April 29.”
Rowe has several court dates set in July.
While he pled not guilty, he still has time to accept the Misdemeanor Intervention Program (MIP), according to the post.
Maloney said the program, which is offered on a case-by-case basis, is typically 90 days and requires a certain amount of community service hours.
“[It] essentially is a program that, if completed, the goal is to allow the charges to be dismissed all together,” she said.
Support the future of journalism at USF’s Tampa campus
By accepting the MIP, Maloney said those offered the program are “moving towards” the charges being dropped. However, if they do not accept the program, they will go to trial.
Maria Hollenback, a WUSF employee, was placed on administrative leave, according to Johnson.
Hollenback, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with felony battery of a law enforcement officer after kicking an officer attempting to handcuff her, according to an affidavit. She is also charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
While Johnson could not disclose the consequences student protesters are facing from the university due to student privacy laws, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) has posted that several students are facing suspension.
Related: USF can place protest restrictions, First Amendment expert says
Joseph Charry, a member of SDS, was not arrested during the demonstration, but is facing suspension, according to an Instagram post.
“The University of South Florida is threatening to indefinitely suspend a number of student activists for participating in the Gaza solidarity encampment, restricting them from all campuses, courses and activities,” the post reads.
Charry, who is an international student, is at risk of losing his visa if he is suspended, according to the post.
Charry did not provide a comment at the time of publication.
However, some protesters are facing felony charges in addition to suspension, including Leonardo Tilelli, a USF communications major, according to Johnson.
Tilelli was one of four students arrested on April 30. According to an affidavit, Tilelli is facing a felony charge of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, which he pled not guilty to at the beginning of May.
Tilelli is also charged with misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence, unlawful assembly and trespassing
Tilelli was chased by law enforcement after “agitating the crowd and not following orders,” according to an affidavit.
When he was approached by law enforcement, he “took a closed fist swing” at the officer, according to the affidavit.
Tilelli did not provide a comment at the time of publication.
While a “Know Your Rights” seminar and prayer was hosted at the MLK Plaza on May 2, protests and demonstrations have mostly moved off campus since the 13 arrests.
Related: A guide to activism on the USF Tampa campus
USF students and community members across the state have continued to protest the war in the West Bank, but even calls to drop charges against the USF 13 have been contained to near the courthouse.
While the efforts from SDS and the USF Divest Coalition continue, Johnson said the university maintains its stance that the university will not divest in response to student protests.
Related: Trouble following USF divestment debate updates? Here’s what to know. – The Oracle
“We have made this position clear many times,” she said. “USF’s investments are guided by its mission, fiduciary responsibilities and state and federal laws. USF does not select individual stocks or companies for investment.”
This article has been updated.
Lily Belcher is the news editor for The Oracle. She's a mass communications and professional and technical communications double major. She started at The Oracle in summer 2023 as a correspondent and worked her way up to news editor. She has been freelancing for local newspapers for four years and hopes to write for a major newspaper following her graduation. Reach her at belcher20@usf.edu
Profile
