Jacksonville, FL – On September 20, New Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapters from across the United States convened at the University of North Florida to reaffirm their commitment to student organizing and to discuss ways to, “Stop Trump, Stop Racism, Stop U.S. Military and Police Terror.” The conference peaked at over 80 students with a dozen chapters represented.

Tampa, FL – On October 4, over 20 students protested at the University of South Florida against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Students denounced the Trump administration for the mishandling of the accusations against Kavanaugh, their rushed FBI investigation, and Trump’s mocking and blatant disrespect for Christine Blasey Ford, one of the survivors. Protesters were also disgusted by the blatant rape apologism demonstrated by prominent Senate Republicans, such as Lindsey Graham.

Tampa, FL – Over 1500 community members gathered, June 30, in downtown Tampa to protest the Trump administration's policy of separating undocumented children from their parents. This protest was part of a day of action called under the slogan of ‘Families Belong Together.’ This day of action follows the discovery that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been keeping undocumented children in cages in detention centers and forcibly separated from their parents. The protest advocated for the abolition of ICE, the reunion of these families, and the end of deportations.

Students everywhere say no to Trump’s agenda

Tampa, FL – On Jan. 20, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized a nationwide student walkout in protest of President Trump’s inauguration, his racist, xenophobic agenda, and his cabinet choices of millionaires and billionaires. His choices so far promise a four years filled with more war, deportations, the privatization of education, union-busting and threats to the rights of women and LGBTQ people. In over 25 cities around the country, SDS chapters led walkouts of classes and marched under the slogans: “Stop Trump’s Agenda! Education For All! Sanctuary For All!”

Tampa FL – A dozen Tampa Bay activists gathered on May Day weekend to commemorate International Workers Day. Members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a Fight Back! fundraiser. They explained the history of International Workers Day, discussed strategy for revolution and explained the importance of having a newspaper that favored the people’s movements.

Stone Mountain, GA – More than 400 youth, students, and anti-racist activists protested a “white power” rally by 12 members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and Southern Heritage in Stone Mountain Park, Georgia on April 23. The anti-racist protesters marched into Stone Mountain Park chanting as they prepared to confront the police. They successfully closed down the park and forced the cancellation of the “white power” concert originally scheduled for that night.

Tampa, FL – On Dec. 3, a dozen University of South Florida students gave out hundreds of flyers and dropped a banner in support of affirmative action for African American and Latino students. As part of the National Day to Demand Affirmative Action called by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), chapters held events calling for increased African American enrollment, a defense of affirmative action and an end to racist admissions policies.

Tampa, FL – On Sept. 15, a dozen students rallied at the University of South Florida (USF) in support of the Iran nuclear deal. Tampa Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other USF students gave speeches and held signs that promoted peace with Iran. The signs condemned the sanctions and upheld the deal as a blow against U.S. political and economic domination.

Jacksonville, FL – In the past year, over 50,000 refugee children have fled from Central American countries and crossed the U.S. border. While many have been released to their families and other caregivers, thousands remain locked up in mass detention centers. Much of the media coverage carries the familiar anti-immigrant slant, blaming the parents and even the children for imagining the U.S. to have pro-immigration policies. This tendency to blame immigrants parallels the longstanding trend of blaming formerly colonized countries for internal violence, and it omits the role of U.S. and European colonialism and imperialism in originating it. It erases the history of Central America and it distorts the nature of mass migration.

Tallahassee, FL – Students achieved a victory late last week when the Florida Senate passed tuition equity. On May Day, 2014, the Florida Senate passed House Bill 851 mandating tuition waivers for undocumented students at public universities. Presently, Florida’s undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition, three times the in-state tuition rate. After attending and graduating from Florida high schools, many are denied equal access to higher education by the out-of-state tuition rate.