Law enforcement broke up a pro-Palestine encampment of around 100 protesters at the USF Tampa campus Tuesday evening using tear gas.

The demonstration was the second in two days at USF where students, employees and community members urged the university to divest from companies with financial ties to Israel. 

Related: Several protesters at USF arrested during pro-Palestine encampment protest – The Oracle

USF Police Chief Chris Daniel said ten people were arrested following the protest during a Tuesday news conference. One protester who was arrested was found with a gun.

“We respect, we honor, we cherish the right to free speech out here,” Daniel said. “We encourage students to exercise free speech, but they have to do so in a safe manner and within accordance with university policy.”

Daniel said protesters were throwing tear gas back at law enforcement while they were making arrests.  

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On Monday, three protesters were arrested at a similar demonstration. However, Tuesday’s protest was much larger.

Protesters filled a grassy area near the Marshall Student Center and MLK Plaza at 10 a.m. At one point during the protest, they locked arms in a circle surrounding an erected tent, which was restricted by administration at the beginning of the week, while holding umbrellas and makeshift plywood shields.

“Disclose. Divest. We will not stop, we will not rest,” the group chanted throughout the day.

The protesters were given a deadline of 5 p.m. by law enforcement to vacate the area. By 5:20 p.m., tear gas was deployed, sending protesters scattering across campus. 

Five hours after police made several arrests, President Rhea Law sent out an email expressing her gratitude for law enforcement at the protest. She also said protesters were informed the demonstration “would need to conclude by the close of business.”

“The university has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment on campus, including enforcing violations of Florida law and USF policies, especially after repeated warnings,” she wrote. “Should there be additional protests on campus this week, we expect everyone to act in a peaceful manner and in a way that allows our community to prepare for final exams and commencement without disruption.”

Organizers of the protest did not respond to The Oracle’s request for comment at the time of publication.

Protesters sprinted from the encampment site, dropping shields, umbrellas and even a keffiyeh as they dispersed in small groups. 

After exposure to tear gas, symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Related: A guide to activism on the USF Tampa campus – The Oracle 

Law enforcement bordered the protesters with riot gear. Another group of officers waited on bikes. When the group scattered, they took off on the bikes and detained several protesters.

University spokesperson Althea Johnson said USF staff and police had “regular communication” with protesters about the expectation for a peaceful demonstration.

“When participants refused to comply with the direction, University Police with supporting law enforcement agencies dispersed the event,” Johnson said. “A number of individuals were taken into custody.”

She said University Police (UP) determined that the protest was no longer peaceful and, therefore, protesters would have to leave the area.

“As the day progressed, police observed participants in person and through social media expressing their intent to use some of the items they brought on campus as weapons and to resist university staff members and law enforcement officers,” she said.

Law enforcement from Hillsborough County Sherriff Office (HCSO), Florida Highway Patrol and Tampa Police Department were also present.

HCSO Sherriff Chad Chronister said all students should “feel safe” and be able to express themselves on campus.

“The moment a peaceful protestor arms his or herself with a shield or attempts to occupy a space that isn’t theirs, as occurred today, they will be dispersed,” Chronister said. “And if they choose not to follow instructions of law enforcement officers, they will be arrested as ten individuals were.”

In a social media post, The Florida Palestine Nework condemned USF’s “violent use of chemical munition and brutality” and referred to the encampment demonstration as peaceful.

Prior to Tuesday’s demonstration, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida is “leading” on how to handle “university decorum and these protests.”

“You have a right to support or not support Israel,” he said. “That’s a First Amendment [right]. You don’t have a right to pitch a tent in the middle of campus and commandeer some of the property.”

Across from the seven-hour long demonstration, student life continued as usual during exam week. Future graduates continued to pose by the Bull Fountain donning caps and gowns for graduation photos.

Related: USF ditched its trademark green regalia. Are students digging it? – The Oracle

Around 4:50 p.m., USF students received an alert through the SAFE app advising them to avoid the area near the MLK Plaza. At 7:15 p.m., students received an alert saying the issue was resolved.

Following the disbursement, protesters were given time by law enforcement to remove their tents, signs and tarps that littered the lawn. 

Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, a student organization, posted that they are hosting a rally outside Orient Road Jail for the release of the arrested protesters Tuesday evening.

Related: Four people arrested during SDS protest – The Oracle 

The protests at USF is one of several across the country protesting the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip beginning in October.