[Updated May 7: A previous version of this article mistakenly reported that all 16 protestors arrested were released on their recognizance. Three protestors posted bail after their initial court hearing. Spinnaker takes errors seriously and apologizes for the error. The story has been updated with the correct information.]
At least 16 pro-Palestine protestors were released from the John E. Goode Pre-trial Detention Facility on Friday afternoon after they were arrested Thursday night for violating their 10 p.m. curfew on the University of North Florida Green.
According to UNF, 16 protestors were arrested, eight of whom were students. Students for a Democratic Society, the group that organized the protest, said there were nine students and eight others.
The protestors were all charged with trespassing, a first-degree misdemeanor. All but three were released on their own recognizance, so they did not have to post bail, but they are responsible for arriving at their next court date and following any conditions of the release. The remaining three posted bail and will return for their first court appearance on June 3 at 9 a.m.
Non-student protestors were released on the condition that they cannot visit the UNF campus while the court case is pending.
The university said the protestors were arrested after ignoring trespassing warnings.
“Consistent with the University’s enforcement of reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, demonstrators at UNF Thursday evening were told by University Police that they needed to leave campus by 10 p.m. as they have done the previous two nights,” UNF said.
All the protestors will return to the courtroom on Monday, May 13 at 3:15 p.m.
This is a developing story. Stay with Spinnaker as we continue to cover the students arrested and the university’s response.
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