Tallahassee college students voice opposition to DeSantis during statewide walkout

Florida State University students along with peers from Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College joined forces on FSU’s campus Thursday afternoon during a statewide walkout movement to take a stand against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education-related efforts.

In a crowd of more than 100 protestors at FSU's Westcott Fountain was senior Ava Anderson, who says she was in class before making her way down to take a stand.

She also says the professor of her Culture and Society class ended the day’s session early to allow interested students to participate in the gathering.

“All the policies that DeSantis has been introducing, I don’t agree with,” said Anderson, 21, a sociology and psychology major from Tampa. “Personally, I feel like we’re going in a factious direction. I’m Jewish, so it does scare me to see how he’s criticizing people’s identities.”

Dream Defenders and Students of the Florida College Democrats organized the demonstration at college campuses across the state.

Walkouts were also held at the University of Florida, New College of Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, the University of South Florida, Florida Polytechnic University and the University of North Florida.

Previous coverage:Florida college students plan a statewide walkout against Gov. DeSantis' education 'attacks'

The demonstrations come after the DeSantis administration's attempts to dismantle diversity programs at the public colleges and universities in Florida. He also recently requested reports from the institutions that highlight how much funding goes toward their DEI-related activities.

“What Ron DeSantis is doing affects me personally because I am a Black student trying to learn about my Black history,” FSU sophomore Serena Petit said.

The 19-year-old Miami native is also a social and events coordinator for FSU’s Black Student Union, which publicly announced that it would be a part of the walkout a couple days ahead of the Thursday event.

TCC’s Black Student Union was also in attendance.

"I didn’t have class today, but if I did, I would have walked out,” Petit said confidently.

“I feel that if I don’t come out here to make a stand, then it takes away the importance of the issue going on,” she added. “Who else would be on the forefront if not Black students?”

The protesters included FAMU NAACP Chapter President Sydney Aitcheson, a student who played a role in getting civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton to come to Tallahassee to speak at a rally against DeSantis on Feb. 15.

During the recent gathering, Black legislators, preachers and activists marched to the Florida Capitol steps to protest the state's rejection of Advanced Placement African American Studies as a class.

Related news:'You're wrong to mess with Black history': Sharpton, Black leaders rally against DeSantis

More:Florida education officials: African American Studies AP course 'lacks educational value'

Aitcheson, who spoke at the rally alongside Sharpton, was surprised when viewing the Thursday protest’s turnout at FSU.

“I’m in shock to see how many people are out here fighting for justice, equality, diversity, equity and inclusion,” Aitcheson said into a bullhorn in front of the protesters Thursday. “We’re making a difference not only in our own lives, but in the future generations to come.”

“Everyone deserves to be included,” she added. “It doesn’t matter what your sexuality or race is.”

FSU Student Government Association President Nimna Gabadage as well as FAMU’s SGA President Zachary Bell — who both serve as trustees on their university’s boards — were also a part of the walkout.

In addition to the college students, individuals like State Rep. Anna Eskamani attended and showed support, saying that she “walked out of committee” at the Capitol to be with the protesters.

“What they don’t understand is that schools exist for students. We set the agenda,” Eskamani said. “Our professors deserve to teach the history that is ours, not whitewash it.”

The participants engaged in a series of chants including “Stand up, fight back” and “I believe that we will win” as students held up signs with phrases such as “Black Lives Matter” and “Our history, our future.”

Although the organizers’ initial plan was to march to the governor’s mansion from FSU’s campus, the protest came to an end after a teach-in session was conducted to educate the participants of historical topics such as the Black Panther Party’s Ten Point Program of 1966, which includes demands such as freedom and the power to determine the destiny of the Black community.

The mini session was followed by a few more call-back chants before the participants began to disperse.

DeSantis, who was not in Tallahassee during the morning of the walkout, was holding a press conference in Jacksonville, Florida Thursday at 9 a.m.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, FAMU, TCC students, supporters hold walkout against DeSantis