TAMPA, Fla. — A pair of University of South Florida students, Joseph Charry and Victoria Hinkley, who have been punished by the school for participating in pro-Palestine rallies on campus in April, said they recently learned both of their appeals have been denied.

What You Need To Know

  • Student Jospeh Charry was suspended for one year after an April protest, while organizer Victoria Hinkley was expelled from the school just days before she was set to graduate

  • Both students appealed the decision and learned this week their appeals had been denied  

  • They participated in two pro-Palestine rallies on campus at the end of April

“Even though I attempted to appeal this decision, they recently upheld it saying that the charges were justified,” said Charry. “But were they justified? No.” 

The students spoke out during a Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society gathering near the USF campus on Friday. Hinkley said she has been expelled for organizing and leading two rallies at the end of April.

Charry said he was suspended by the school for a year because of his participation.

“We’re going to continue organizing,” Hinkley said. “That’s why Tampa Bay SDS will continue to fight against this bogus expulsion and demand USF do what is right and give me my degree.”

Hinkley said she was only one week away from graduating when she was expelled.

“I had been going to USF for four years and was only five days away from graduating with my degree,” she said. “I was only one single assignment away from graduating.”

She said the protests were to show support for Palestine and to call on USF to divest from Israeli companies. Tear gas was used to break up the April 30 protest when USF police determined it was no longer peaceful and 10 arrests were made.

USF spokesperson Althea Paul said due to privacy laws, the school could not comment on an individual student’s status in the disciplinary process, but she did release a statement.

“The University of South Florida values free speech and protecting the constitutional right for individuals and groups on campus to gather and express themselves,” she stated. “However, those activities must remain peaceful and there are consequences for violating the law or university policies.”

Charry said he’s an international student and could be deported because the suspension has put his visa at risk. Still, both Hinkley and Charry said they do not regret participating in the protests and will continue to fight.

“We see it as worth it because it’s a just cause,” said Charry. “Even with all of what’s happening to us, it’s nothing compared to what Palestinians are going through.”