TAMPA -- Students planning to take part in a hunger strike at the University of South Florida, showed up at the Board of Trustees meeting to demand the school sell stock in companies doing business with Israel.
They accused USF of profiting with "blood money" and trying to hide its portfolio from public scrutiny. They also criticized the university for denouncing the deadly Hamas attack October 7th, while remaining silent on the effects on Gaza residents of the fighting that followed.
University board chair Will Weatherford told students USF doesn't own stocks directly but invests through fund managers. He told students the issue of the Israel-Hamas war is "complex" and isn't being decided by anyone sitting on the Board of Trustees. Weatherford said it's possible to support Israel's right to defend itself while expressing compassion for the Palestinian people. He also chastised a student who used profanity and accused the board of being "liars". "You will not disrespect the board and the university with (that) language... I will escort you out of this room if you use that language again."
Organizers say as many as 18 students are going without food during the protest.
Photo: USF Board of Trustees (the speaker is not affiliated with the hunger strike)