Tampa 5 speaking tour arrives in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, TX – On Wednesday, October 25, the Progressive Student Union at University of Texas, Arlington hosted Laura Rodriguez on her tour across the South and Southwest, to raise awareness about the repression she and the other members of the Tampa 5 are facing.
Rodriguez explained the context of what led up to the protest on March 6, and the level of state violence police enacted on them that day. In response, the audience of 25 students chanted together condemning the police for their actions. Rodriguez said they would continue to resist the political repression in Florida, stating, “We have nothing to lose, but a world to gain.”
Rodriguez expressed solidarity with the Palestinians resistance to the genocidal Israeli regime, “When they are being attacked, we must double down on standing up for them.”
Texas is another area of the South currently facing legislative attacks of many DEI initiatives on campuses all across the state, including at UTA. The speech resonated with the entire audience and powerful sounds of camaraderie echoed throughout the room.