The University of South Florida said "a number of individuals" were arrested after law enforcement deployed tear gas in a clash with proPalestinian protesters on Tuesday.

In a statement, USF said around 75100 protesters, including some not affiliated with the university, arrived at the Tampa campus in the morning with items like wood shields, umbrellas and tents. Throughout the day, university staff and police reportedly maintained contact with the group about expectations for maintaining a peaceful demonstration.

"As the day progressed, police observed participants in person and through social media expressing their intent to use some of the items they brought on campus as weapons and to resist university staff members and law enforcement officers. As a result, USF police determined that the protest was no longer peaceful, and participants must leave the area," the USF statement read, in part.

Dozens of students were seen using umbrellas as shields Tuesday evening as they stood in a circle with their arms locked.

At about 4:50 p.m., police gave students a 15minute warning, informing them they would be subject to tear gas and rubber bullets if they did not leave.

Police were heard giving demonstrators several orders to disperse over a loudspeaker around 5:10 p.m., declaring the protest an "unlawful assembly" and notifying students they were under arrest for refusing to disperse.

About 10 minutes later, amid protesters' cries to "hold the line," police deployed tear gas and a majority of the students ran off.