TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Students and faculty across college campuses in Florida rallied to voice their disapproval of Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent higher education reforms on Thursday.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported “hundreds” gathered outside Westcott Fountain on the campus of Florida State University, while images of the event on social media show smaller crowds. The group included students and faculty from FSU, Tallahassee Community College and Florida A&M (FAMU), which have a combined 60,000 students between the three schools.
Several other colleges and universities also participated in the “Stand for Freedom” protest across the state. Event organizer Ben Braver with the College Democrats at the University of South Florida said the goal is to celebrate “diversity in thought and freedom in education.”
Last month, Governor DeSantis announced a new bill that would prohibit colleges from funding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs with discriminatory practices.
Braver, a member of the USF College of Democrats, told The Florida Standard that he expected a minimum of 2,000 students and faculty to participate. Posts on social media suggest Braver’s estimate was higher than the turnout. The coordinated demonstrations took place Thursday from noon to 1 pm.
A video from the USF protest showed a turnout larger than footage from other campuses. One student held up a sign depicting a guillotine that read: “DeSantis 2024 4 THE CHOP!”
USF student holds up a sign with a picture of a GUILLOTINE and the words "DeSantis 2024 4 THE CHOP." https://t.co/J03YFhddEW
— Zac Howard (@zachoward_) February 23, 2023
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY (FSU)
NOW: Hundreds of students, faculty and community members have gathered at FSU in protest of policies proposed by Gov. DeSantis barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses. @abc27 pic.twitter.com/XSb0VDuhks
— Kendall Brandt (@kendallbrandttv) February 23, 2023
As the protesters wait for FAMU students to join them before marching to the governor’s mansion, they shout out chants such as “I believe that we will win!” pic.twitter.com/rPmz9Fw876
— Tarah Jean (@tarahjean_) February 23, 2023
FSU, FAMU and TCC students at Florida State with @AnnaForFlorida today! #CANTBANUS pic.twitter.com/pcZ9NvcBzM
— Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) February 23, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (UF)
Hugely proud of the @UF students and fellow faculty I saw at today’s walk put and sit in protest of DeSantis’ fascist attack on diversity in higher ed! pic.twitter.com/WfRUs05MH7
— Jamie: Your #1 Name Brand Gay 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@jamiegeeksout) February 23, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (UCF)
Great turn out and speakers today at @UCF rally against DeSantis and his attacks on education 👊🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/zU8z6RMojv
— Jen 🏳️🌈 SAY GAY 🏳️⚧️ Cousins (@JenCousinsFL) February 23, 2023
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (FIU)
Protest aimed at FL Governor - Students gathering at FIU protesting proposal to eliminate DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs at public colleges and universities. “Can’t Ban Us” is the message. @FIU @RonDeSantisFL @wsvn pic.twitter.com/eZz6J1qlrW
— Jessica Holly (@JhollyW) February 23, 2023
NOW: @FIU students walking out along with other FL universities as part of a planned #CANTBANUS protest against Gov. DeSantis’ push to ban diversity programs from state colleges @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/bQQP5ka0Hc
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaInclanTV) February 23, 2023
Protest at FIU around 30 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/HCZz0DZUNx
— David Vergel (@DavidVergel97) February 23, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA (UNF)
spending the day at unf where students are walking out in protest of ron desantis’ bigoted education agenda. @VOTFlorida is getting these students registered to vote to make their voices heard at the ballot box. pic.twitter.com/k3E8atJt8D
— cameron driggers (@camcdriggers) February 23, 2023
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (USF)
“We must defend affirmative action, we must demand that USF does not comply with any of @GovRonDeSantis attack in diversity…”
— dave decker (he/him) (@davedeckerphoto) February 23, 2023
Around 150 @USouthFlorida students staged a walkout in solidarity w/ other state funded colleges to protest new laws that are harming students/faculty. pic.twitter.com/yCFhztsGxt
NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA (NCF)
Today we walked out in coalition with students across the state to stand for academic freedom. And denounced the hostile political attacks of Desantis and co. #standforfreedom #standforfeedomfl #walkout pic.twitter.com/nORuyPGlqo
— NCF Students for Educational Freedom (@NCFEduFreedom) February 23, 2023
