Los Angeles responds with solidarity for Tampa 5
Boyle Heights, CA – On July 12, over 25 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza and joined the emergency and national day of action for the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are five women from Tampa who were brutally arrested while staging a peaceful protest at the University of South Florida (USF).
The protest was for diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at USF, and July 12 was the second court hearing for the five activists, mostly members of the Tampa Bay Students for Democratic Society (SDS). The five are facing up to ten years of incarceration. The SDS and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) made a national call to action to drop the charges on the Tampa 5.
“These five women were protesting DeSantis’ attacks on diversity at the university and were attacked by the pigs for it,” said Luis Sifuentes, member of Centro CSO and NAARPR.
Sifuentes continued, “This isn’t just happening in Florida, it’s happening all across the country and the U.S. is hounding down radicals and communists challenging a system of white supremacy, racism and sexism.”
“I used to live in Tampa and attended other actions by the Tampa Bay SDS, not once did the campus police resort to violently arresting anybody,” said Sol Márquez, member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
Marquez continued, “Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently passed SB 1718 criminalizing the undocumented, is a threat to us all. The bigots are using the Tampa 5 as a warning to all who oppose them.”
Carlos Montes of Centro CSO and himself a target of political repression said, “It takes a national campaign to pressure the district attorney and the state to drop the charges. We will continue mobilizing, packing the courtroom, and demanding a ‘not guilty’ verdict!”
“Because of work, I was sad I wouldn’t be in Chicago for the national day of action,” said Merawi Gerima with the Chicago Alliance. “But then CSO called for an action and here I am! Representing Chicago in solidarity with the Tampa 5.”
Organized by Centro Community Service Organization (CSO), the event was held at Mariachi Plaza’s gazebo at the intersections of 1st Street and Boyle Avenue, overlooking the downtown LA skyline. Others who united were a large contingent of Teamsters, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (CAARPR), BAYAN, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Peace & Freedom, People’s City Council, and mariachi musicians who live and frequent Mariachi Plaza.
As the Tampa 5 continue fighting to have their charges dropped, CSO will remain vigilant. Stay tuned and sign the petition here: https://peoplespetitions.org/