By Caitlyn McCoy
Two University of Florida (UF) students face criminal charges and expulsion from the university after allegedly stealing signs from a pro-life group’s campus display and assaulting a police officer, according to a tip received through Young America’s Foundation’s Campus Bias Tip Line.
Members of the UF Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) staged a rally on March 10 to “resist attacks” from those advocating for the pro-life cause.
Student Ian Dinkla, charged with robbery and resisting arrest, was caught on video swiping signs showing the stages of pre-born development from the display. When campus police showed up, he physically shoved an officer.
Graduate Assistant Bryn Taylor was seen alongside Dinkla, striking the officer in the back of the head with a megaphone and punching him in the face. Taylor faces aggravated battery and resisting an officer with violence charges.
UF YDSA stated on Instagram that two of its “comrades” were arrested for “peacefully protesting” and encouraged bail donations through Venmo. Leftists in the comments section sent their “non-religious prayers” and called pro-lifers “fascist pigs” that must be stopped.
Taylor has been placed on paid leave for her research with the University of Florida and is facing expulsion from her doctoral program. Taylor’s student conduct hearing is scheduled to take place later this month.
Steve Orlando, spokesman for UF, said “The University of Florida will be absolutely clear about these two things: Speech is protected, and violence is not tolerated. Everyone — regardless of their views — can exercise their First Amendment rights on this campus, and nobody has a right to violence. Violent behavior and resisting arrest are unacceptable. The University’s conduct and disciplinary review process will move forward.”