The following story was updated on March 28 at 6:28 p.m. to clarify that there were two separate demonstrations. The one arrest was made inside the student union, and Spinnaker is working to obtain more details; and at 9:16 p.m. to include information from a statement by Jacksonville SDS.

One person was arrested at an on-campus protest Thursday that took place at the student union, according to the University of North Florida police chief. 

The protest, organized by Jacksonville Students for a Democratic Society, was in response to an event that invited two Israel Defense Force soldiers on campus. The event was hosted by the Students Supporting Israel in collaboration with Chabad at UNF. 

There was a significant police presence on campus, with at least 15 Jacksonville Sheriff vehicles lining UNF Drive before the protest began at 5 p.m. There were around 30 protesters who gathered and chanted in the student union plaza with cardboard signs, and another group inside the student union. 

It appeared that police escorted three protesters away from the student union and one was arrested. It is unclear whether any more were detained. UPD Chief Frank Mackesy confirmed that the person arrested was not a student. Chief Mackesy said that the arrest docket for the protester is expected to be released on Monday.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Madelyn Schneider

Jacksonville Sheriff vehicles lined the UNF Drive loop Thursday ahead of the SDS protest.

In response to the increased police presence, a UNF spokesperson provided the following statement: 

“As with all events, the University of North Florida takes appropriate security measures to ensure the safety of our campus community and visitors.”

A Jacksonville SDS spokesperson confirmed in a statement that the protest was in opposition to the presence of IDF soldiers on campus. According to the statement, members of SDS called and emailed university administration, urging them to cancel the event. 

The protest ended at around 7 p.m., an hour before UNF’s “Expressive Activity” 8 p.m. curfew.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Madelyn Schneider

Around 30 demonstrators gathered at the Osprey Plaza Thursday to protest a UNF Jewish Chabad event that invited two IDF soldiers on campus.

Why were IDF soldiers on campus?

Thursday’s event invited two IDF soldiers to speak about their experience in combat, according to a Jewish Chabad press release. The event is part of the organization’s UNF Israel Weekend programming, which includes a hummus making session and Israeli-style Shabbat dinner. 

The final Israel Weekend event will be a panel discussion at the UNF Chabad house on Sunday, March 30. According to the press release, a survivor of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and experts will discuss global antisemitism, Israel’s security challenges and campus activism.

In response to the SDS protest that took place outside Thursday’s event, a Chabad at UNF spokesperson provided the following statement: 

“We are thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response to Chabad at UNF’s Israel Weekend. The outpouring of support from students, faculty, and the broader Jacksonville community has been deeply heartening. Last night’s kickoff event was a powerful and inspiring start, undeterred by distractions outside the room. We are expecting a full house at the upcoming events and look forward to welcoming everyone for the rest of this meaningful, inspiring, and unforgettable Israel Weekend.” 

This is a developing story. Stay with Spinnaker as we continue to bring you updates.

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