USA Today Network
By Douglas Soule and Eric Rogers
10/13/2023
As Israel-Hamas war protests wage across Florida college campuses, safety concerns are mixing with ones about free speech protections.
An influential Florida lawmaker’s call to expel college students expressing support for the surprise attack on Israel may run into First Amendment issues, experts warn.
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, released a letter Friday morning urging the governor to action.
“We say Florida is the best place in America for Jews,” said Fine, who is Jewish. “It’s time to prove it. Right now. Today. These children must not spend one day more surrounded by these animals.”
And, in a Friday afternoon statement, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office agreed and said “these laws must be enforced by universities.”