Atah Othman, a pro-Palestinian protester, was arrested on the University of South Florida campus for carrying a gun. Othman was one of ten individuals arrested, all between the ages of 20 to 39. Along with charges of unlawful assembly, Othman faced additional charges including trespassing, resisting an officer without violence, and aggravated assault with attempt to commit a felony with a weapon.
Othman was specifically charged with possession of a firearm on school property, a felony offense. The group of protesters, totaling about 100 people, was dispersed by police using tear gas near the MLK Plaza. On a following day, a larger group of approximately 250-300 protesters marched towards the Plaza and returned without incident.
There was a reported bomb threat on the USF campus, which was resolved shortly after. The incident involving Othman and the other protesters has sparked debate and discussion on campus security and protester rights.
