Counter-Protesters Clash with PSL Activists in Gainesville at Immigrant Rights Protest
At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, activists led by the Gainesville Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) protested for immigrant rights on the corner of W. University Ave and NW 13th St.
Protest leaders condemned President Donald Trump’s deportation policies in the U.S. Since Trump has taken office over 5,000 people have been deported, and he's ordered the expansion of Guantanamo Bay to full capacity to hold more immigrants. Trump is reportedly angry at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for not deporting more people.
Several PSL chapters organized protests against Trump and ICE raids as part of a nationwide effort over the weekend.
A small group of counter-protesters engaged in confrontations with activists throughout the demonstration, but nothing turned physical.
Activists chant "Free Gaza" while counter protesters wave an Israeli flag and take pictures. (video cred. gnvinfo)
One of the counter-protesters falsely accused GnvInfo of being banned from the University of Florida (UF). He said, “You’re banned from campus; you’re one of the UF 9. [If you step on campus], I’m calling the cops.”
A counter protester makes a false accusation. (video cred. gnvinfo)
When the counter-protester said “UF 9,” he was referencing the nine people arrested at UF on April 29, 2024, during a pro-Palestine protest. GnvInfo covered the arrests but was not arrested.
About ten minutes later, the counter-protester made contact with the UF Police Department (UFPD).
A counter protester talks with a UFPD officer shortly after making a false accusation. (video cred. gnvinfo)
UFPD did not make contact with GnvInfo.
The group of counter-protesters went around the protest waving an Israeli flag, prompting the activists to form a circle to try and keep them out. One of the PSL leaders said, “We may have some antagonizers here, but they’re little in their numbers…. They may want to say your immigrant neighbor is not your neighbor. They may want to say your Black neighbor is not your neighbor. They may want to say the Palestinians [are not] your neighbors. We know that's not true.”
Activists formed a circle to block out counter-protesters during the demonstration. (video cred. gnvinfo)
Counter-protesters stayed in the area until the protest ended at 4:00 p.m.
PSL leaders invited protesters to join their organization to fight against anti-immigrant policies and injustices in the U.S.
