TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WTXL) - Tensions run high, as the Tallahassee dream defenders and students for a democratic society lead a protest demanding FSU Police remove military equipment.
The students claim police are trying to curb freedom of expression and assembly through fear. The FSU police department has an army Humvee and military assault rifles. It's all a part of the Department of Defense's 10-33 program, which allows police forces to buy the military's excess material.
Those gathered at today's rally called for an end to the program and for the campus' police department to immediately get rid of the equipment. However, programs FSU PD says programs like this actually have a benefit to students, the department used the Humvee to drive through campus after a severe flood.
The FSU Police bought a Humvee at a steep discount. It normally would have cost $200,000, and they say they only paid a couple thousand dollars. Many local police departments also use this program to get equipment at a discount.
