Florida’s Move to ‘Deactivate’ Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Garners Second Lawsuit

USF Students for Justice in Palestine chapter argues the state is infringing upon First Amendment rights.

Pro-Palestinian students take part in a protest in support of the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, at Columbia University in New York City, Oct. 12, 2023. Jeenah Moon/Reuters

Florida is facing its second federal lawsuit over a recent move to disband a pro-Palestinian student group at two of its top universities.

The University of South Florida (USF) chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) claims that the Oct. 24 order to disband its group—issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis and State University System chancellor Ray Rodrigues—is unconstitutional and an infringement on students’ rights to free speech.