Organizers announced that they will be launching an all-out campaign to force the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to drop their anti-trans policy and to restore the ability of Floridians to change the gender markers on their IDs to reflect who they are.

More than a dozen community organizations including HOPE Community Center, Orlando for Gender Equality and Dream Defenders were united behind a banner which read, “DeSantis DMV. Drop the policy. IDs for all.” Florida Representative Anna Eskamani also attended and pledged solidarity with the growing campaign. As reporters gathered to hear the announcement outside the prominent LGBTQ health center, activists chanted “We won’t go back. Not one step back!” and “We will not go back in time, being trans is not a crime.”

Jacob Muldoon, lead organizer with Orlando for Gender Equality spoke first and outlined the context for DeSantis’ latest attack on the LGBTQ community. He explained that community groups organized and mobilized in great numbers during the past legislative session. Through actions like protests, letter-writings, die-ins, and more, activists defeated 21 out of 22 anti-LGBTQ bills attempting to move through the Florida legislature. But now, facing defeat, the GOP is pivoting to an undemocratic, administrative rule change.

Muldoon went on to say, “These political moves by DeSantis and the GOP are unconstitutional and follow a trend of Florida violating federal laws like Real ID and Title IX. DeSantis and the GOP are rogue actors, dead set on their unpopular and hate-filled agenda. We must defend Orlando from Tallahassee.”

Well-known community organizer Shea Cutliff delivered a powerful speech, stating, “As someone who transitioned very early, my ID was like a black American Express card. It was a ticket to so many things. It put a stop to being discriminated against before I even had the chance to interview for a job. It was my chance to stand up for myself in a place as simple as a grocery store by presenting my ID with the proper gender marker reflected on it.”

Joey Knoll, founder and president of SPEKTRUM Health also spoke out against DeSantis’ attempts to erase Florida’s trans population from public life. Knoll rebuked the right-wing governor, “regardless of what Ron DeSantis says, thinks or does: trans people have existed, trans people exist now, and trans people will continue to exist long into the future. Nobody is asking for his permission.”

The coalition ended the conference with a call to action, promising to mobilize and protest at DMVs around the state of Florida in the coming weeks.

#OrlandoFL #LGBTQrights #TransRights #TransLiberation #GayRights #RealID #TitleIX #Desantis #

Tampa, FL – On Tuesday, February 27, a group of around 15 students joined together in front of the Marshall Student Center at the University of South Florida to demand that the university defend diversity.

The event was organized by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society as part of their campaign titled “Defend Diversity.” The student protesters demanded USF take action to protect Women’s and Gender Studies, expand Africana Studies, and fund multicultural organizations. Students chanted “DEI is welcome here” and “Ron DeSantis go away.”

The rally was a cry for USF to take action to protect DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs from being restricted. This student group blames higher administration officials for the lack of protections for diversity. Tampa Bay SDS member Allie Enriquez states, “USF presidents like Rhea Law continue to ignore the demands of students and follow DeSantis’ agenda.”

In Florida, this backward legislation has mainly been pushed through by Governor Ron DeSantis. The most dire and far reaching of these bills is HB 999/SB 266 which prohibits funding to any DEI-related office or program, including student groups.

Tampa Bay SDS continues to fight for diversity on their campus by building up their campaign to Defend Diversity and having direct actions against their administration’s complacency on this issue.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #DEI #DeSantis #SDS #TampaBaySDS

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

The National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) condemns attacks by Governor Ron DeSantis and the right wing dominated legislature in Florida. During this current legislative session, the Florida Legislature is poised to pass legislation targeting the movements for police accountability, the labor movement, the movement to end white supremacy and remove confederate monuments, attacks on the right to organize for a free Palestine, as well as continued attacks on LGBTQ students, and a continued onslaught on the immigrant community and all oppressed peoples.

NAARPR and all our branches and affiliate organizations call for national solidarity with all the progressive forces in Florida fighting back in this political climate, including the numerous NAARPR branches and affiliate organizations who are fighting on the frontlines against these repressive forces.

One especially dangerous bill for the national movement against police crimes is Senate Bill 576/ House Bill 601. This bill, the first of its kind nationally, seeks to ban all methods of civilian oversight from local cities and counties, concentrating even more power into the hands of police chiefs, sheriffs and police unions. We understand that what racist and bigoted forces are seeking to do in Florida seeks to serve as a model for their efforts nationally.

As a national mass defense organization, we pledge to stand with those in Florida fighting against these attacks on our movements and our right to organize. We call for every section of the people’s movement to do the same.

Dump DeSantis!

Stop the attacks on the people’s movements!

Kill the bill! Defeat SB 576/HB 601!

Community Oversight and Community Control of the Police Now!!

#Florida #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #CommunityControlOfPolice #HB576 #HB601 #DeSantis

Tampa, FL – On Wednesday February 14, as part of National Students for a Democratic Society’s Day of Action against Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s attacks on immigrants, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society held a banner drop in the University of South Florida’s Student Center.

The banner read: “Down with Abbott and DeSantis: Stop attacks on immigrants,” marking a clear similarity between Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s agenda against immigrants. DeSantis in fact pledged to send military aid to Abbott if wanted to fight the federal government, echoing Florida and Texas’s Confederate past. DeSantis has also criminalized contact with undocumented immigrants, putting thousands of students with undocumented family members at risk.

Students chanted “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Ron DeSantis go away!” and for “Money for schools and education, not for mass deportation,” disrupting rush hour in their university. Ending with a march through the Student Center, the protesters were received with applauses, cheers and raised fists in solidarity.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights #SDS #DeSantis

On Tuesday, December 12, at 8pm Eastern (7pm Central, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific), the Emergency Committee to Defend the Tampa 5 will host a webinar on the lessons of their victorious struggle to get their charges dropped. Laura Rodriguez and Lauren Pineiro will speak on behalf of the Tampa 5. They will be joined by Frank Chapman, Executive Director of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, as well as a speaker representing Students for a Democratic Society.

The Tampa 5 are an example of how to fight back against repression of free speech in the era of DeSantis. After being attacked by police on March 6, 2023, for holding a rally against DeSantis' attacks on diversity programs and ethnic studies in higher education, the Tampa 5 faced serious felony charges from the unelected, DeSantis-appointed state attorney Susan Lopez.

The Tampa 5 responded by building a nation-wide movement for justice and against DeSantis: they built a local coalition of students, unions and community organizations; mobilized students across the country to hold solidarity demonstrations and call-in days; and build nation-wide support through a speaking tour that visited 30 cities.

On December 5, as a serious pre-trial mobilization was underway, the Tampa 5 announced victory: their misdemeanor and felony charges would be dropped. This was made possible by months of mass mobilization and organizing, as well as a bold legal strategy. There is much that other activists and movements facing increased repression can learn from the Tampa 5.

You can register for the webinar here: https://www.tinyurl.com/tampa5win

#InjusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5 #StudentMovement #SDS #DeSantis #Feature

Milwaukee, WI – A spirited group of more two dozen student protesters gathered outside the Golda Meir Library on the afternoon of November 15 for a rally called by UW-Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The assembled group chanted and heard speeches before beginning a march throughout campus.

The march took them to the campus administration building where additional speeches were given. The march, which grew in size as it wound through the buildings and residential halls, ended back at the library with a call for those who attended to get involved.

The aim of the protest originally was to speak out against recent proposed changes to laws regulating financial aid to underserved student populations that were put forward by Wisconsin Republicans. The changes were proposed and subsequently approved by the Republican-dominated State Assembly in an effort to make higher education “color blind.”

“Do-nothings in the Wisconsin State Assembly have fought hard to cut funding for DEI in Wisconsin. DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, if you didn’t know, and if you spend enough time on campus, you know we could use a little more diversity. SDS sees it; we see the 6% Black student population here, in a city that is 40% Black. We should fix that right?” asked Kayla Patterson from UWM SDS.

Patterson continued, “Republicans say no. To them, DEI is a threat. Such a threat that pay raises are being withheld until DEI is thrown out system-wide. 34,000 employees’ money is at stake, just so Speaker Robin Vos can throw these temper tantrums. This is a petty war being waged and it is costing all of us opportunities – students and staff.”

But the scope of the action was expanded when National SDS made a call for a National Day of Action for Palestine as the genocide continues and the politicians in the U.S. continue to abet it. 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since the recent flare up in the on-going 75 year occupation.

Pro-Palestinian and anti-genocide student protesters and groups in the U.S. have also come under attack since October 7, chief among them being the Students for Justice in Palestine organization. Republican presidential candidate and current Florida governor Ron DeSantis shut down all chapters across Florida, and administrators at Columbia University in New York followed suit. Activists around the country have been targeted by law enforcement officers and violent Zionist counter-demonstrators.

“This discussion is not threatening. When we say ‘Free Palestine’ or ‘We charge you with genocide,’ these are not threats of violence. At worst, they are pleas and accusations. We are holding people accountable,” Patterson said. “And if our elected officials and UW administration find accountability scary, they need to take a good look in the mirror and reflect on what they see.”

UWM SDS was joined at the protest by members and leaders of the Muslim Student Association. They reaffirmed their commitment to both struggling for the rights of oppressed nationality students and also in combating the genocide that is being committed in Palestine and the repression faced by those who are standing on the right side of history.

#MilwaukeeWI #Palestine #International #StudentMovement #DEI #DeSantis

Orange County, CA – On Friday, October 27, over 30 students and community members gathered across two events to listen to Gia Davila of the Tampa 5 on her stop of the Justice for the Tampa 5 speaking tour. The Tampa 5 are a group of students, workers, and community activists who were violently arrested while protesting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ racist attacks on education at the University of South Florida. They are facing up to ten years in prison and are on a speaking tour to call for these unjust charges to be dropped.

Gia Davila, a member of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), gave context to the current political climate in Florida. She spoke on legislation being proposed that attacks LGBTQ, reproductive, immigrant, union and education rights. She described the bill that Tampa Bay SDS were protesting on the day of the arrests, HB 999, “which effectively banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs from universities. It also had nasty rhetoric about tenure for professors, it attacked Black history, it attacked ethnic studies and multicultural groups.”

Davila continued, “Not only are we innocent, we were doing something good. More students should be protesting on campus to retain these programs and expand these programs of diversity on our campuses.”

The prosecution is threatening them with consequences if they talk to the press, but Davila confidently said, “Of course we are not going to listen to them, that is why I am here.”

The events were put on by CSO Orange County and were co-sponsored by the MEChA de UCI chapter and the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department of CSUF.

Sol Márquez, a member of Centro CSO in Boyle Heights, stated, “The Tampa 5 is much more than specifically people in Tampa, it transcends to all of us who are fighting for what is right.”

Michelle Sanchez, co-chair of MEChA at UCI, highlighted the political repression experienced by students at UCI by saying if they had collaborated with the university to put on this panel, they “would have had to strike some things off of the conversation,” otherwise it would not be approved. She encouraged attendees to get organized in order to fight this repression.

Dr. Marlén Ríos-Hernández, a Chicana studies professor, urged people to take action in this time of heightened political repression, stating, “There will be a time where you have to make up your mind about what you want for the liberation of others, for the liberation of your own people, and decide what it will take for you to be unafraid.”

#OrangeCountyCA #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5 #DeSantis #StudentMovement #SDS #CSO #MECHA

Tampa, FL – Tampa protesters rallied in a big way on Wednesday, October 25, one day after Ron DeSantis announced his ban on Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters at Florida universities. Over 200 students and community members rallied at the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue, before marching over a mile to the entrance of the University of South Florida. USF is one of the universities in Florida with an SJP chapter.

The demonstrators chanted, “Hey DeSantis you will see, Palestine will be free!” and “Hey USF you can’t hide, you’re funding genocide” as they marched in front of the university. Members of a variety of student groups were there including SJP and Students for a Democratic Society.

DeSantis’s attacks on SJP are only the latest in a series of political repression on university student groups which includes the case of the Tampa 5 who were arrested and charged with felonies after police attacked a student protest in March.

#TampaFL #Palestine #SJP #DeSantis

Atlanta, GA – On Saturday, October 21, the Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression held a panel speaking event at Adams Park Library hosting Laura Rodriguez of the Tampa 5 and building the struggle against political repression.

The Tampa 5 are five women who attended a Students for a Democratic Society protest at the University of South Florida (USF) in response to Governor DeSantis ending funding for diversity programs and cultural groups at state universities and banning the teaching of vital parts of Black history. USF police brutalized the protestors and arrested four people that day and put out a warrant for the fifth. They are now facing up to ten years in prison.

Guest panelists spoke on behalf of Dissenters at Georgia State University, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at GSU, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Panelists connected the struggles each of them are involved in, including the struggle against Cop City, student activism for Palestine, and the fight against DeSantis’s racist laws. They spoke of the 61 Stop Cop City activists in a RICO indictment, GSU administration’s attacks on SJP and other student groups, the 23 anti-war activists who beat their grand jury repression, and the case of the Tampa 5.

“We organize and we know that the only way out of this is to continue to organize because at every step of the way they have tried to silence us,” said Laura Rodriguez, one of the Tampa 5, “I see the light at the end of the tunnel and the way through it is to organize and organize with people who will show and give solidarity. Not just in words but by our actions.”

Taylor Cook, a member of the FRSO stated, “I know for a fact that just like the Anti-War 23, the Tally 19, the 60 people here in Atlanta with RICO charges, the ASF 3, and so many others that the Tampa 5 will see their charges dropped. Despite how badly Ron DeSantis wants it, the Tampa 5 will not be spending a second in jail, they will be found not guilty, and it will be a victory to them, but also a victory to the people’s movements across the country.”

The panel ended with solidarity speeches with the Tampa 5 from groups attending, vowing to continue the fight to get the charges dropped. Laura Rodriguez urged those attending to send letters to State Attorney Suzan Lopez demanding that she drop the bogus charges on the Tampa 5, and to organize here in Georgia against attacks on diversity in higher education and student activists.

#AtlantaGA #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5 #SDS #NAARPR #SJP #StopCopCity #DeSantis

New Orleans, LA – On Monday evening, October 23, close to 100 people gathered in a lecture hall at Loyola University of New Orleans to listen to Laura Rodriguez of the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are three student organizers, a community leader, and a union member facing up to ten years’ imprisonment on felony charges. The charges came after their brutalization and the arrests of four of them, while they participated in a protest against DeSantis’ attacks on education at the University of South Florida. The state later charged a fifth. Members of the Tampa 5 are touring the U.S. to raise support for their case.

“These organizers are up against trumped-up charges, simply for standing up to DeSantis’ racism and the university administration. The police came out of nowhere to attack, shove, punch and grope them in an attempt to silence dissent,” said Carson Cruse of Loyola Students for a Democratic Society.

“We’re not gonna cower, we’re not gonna hide. We’re gonna get these charges dropped because we’re a part of a national student organization waging a national defense campaign,” said Rodriguez. “This is about more than just me. DeSantis and the Republicans are attacking anti-racist education, LGBTQ people, faculty tenure, and all kinds of rights. They know that we have the power to resist them through protesting, so they’re trying to shut us up out of fear,” she added.

Participants chanted “Not guilty, not sorry!” and “Protesting is not a crime, drop the charges now!”

Many organizations sent representatives to speak at the event and endorse the Tampa 5. These included the United Teachers of New Orleans, French Truck Coffee’s Teamsters union, New Orleans for Palestine, Students United at the University of New Orleans, the Real Name Campaign, the Tulane Office of Gender and Sexual Diversity, New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, the Democratic Socialists of America, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

During her stay, Rodriguez also spoke in front of several classrooms, interviewed with journalists and professors, spoke at a protest against Louisiana’s far-right governor-elect Jeff Landry, and delivered presentations at Tulane and the University of New Orleans.

This tour stop raised over $8600 for the Tampa 5’s legal funds. The Loyola event ended with a surprise announcement that Starbucks Workers United, representing nearly 10,000 workers nationally, resolved to stand in solidarity with the Tampa 5.

#NewOrleansLA #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5 #StudentMovement #SDS #DeSantis

Chicago, IL – On October 14 and 15, roughly 180 members and affiliates of the New Students for a Democratic Society(SDS) from over 20 campuses met for their annual National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

The students came from all over the U.S. to unite under the slogan of “Students Defend Education, Unions Strike Back!” to highlight both the attacks of education, especially ethnic studies such as Black studies and American Indian studies, and the increased level of union activity in 2023. Attendees listened to panels and gave workshops over a variety of topics, sharing strategy and tactics with SDS chapters from across the country.

One highlight came from the Student-Labor solidarity panel, from Dr. Scott Heath, an advisor to Loyola New Orleans NAACP and an advocate for an African American Studies program at Loyola University. Heath was also the only Black tenure-track English professor at the university. Heath read out loud to a transfixed crowd a letter he'd written to students that detailed how he was effectively fired from Loyola University without due process and on racist grounds.

“By fueling a culture of distraction and obstruction, the administration there is threatening my livelihood and reputation in a way that is stigmatizing and humiliating,” Heath remarked. Just after Dr. Heath got the notice that his contract with Loyola University would not be renewed, SDS members at Loyola University jumped into action to organize a protest to demand his retention.

On the same panel, Dr. Aaron Krall, president of UIC United Faculty, Local 6456 shared his views on the labor movement and student-labor solidarity. In response to questions of what students can do, Krall said, “We need workers to band together, and we need all of you and all of your student colleagues to help us fight for the things we need.”

On the “Fight for Ethnic Studies and Defend Diversity” panel, student organizers from across the country shared their experiences fighting against the increased attacks on ethnic studies and diversity programs Panelists highlighted that these programs were fought for and won by a previous generation of student activists, and that students today must fight to defend them.

“It's easy to say I would have fought against discrimination and segregation back in the days of Jim Crow. But let's not just talk about it: let's be about it! History isn't over!” said Angel Naranjo of UIC SDS.

The final panel of the day, “Drop the Charges on the Tampa 5, Defend the Right to Protest” included Gia Davila of the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are students and workers who were brutalized by campus police at the University of South Florida on March 6. The police violence was in response to a student protest to demand that USF’s president take stand against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s egregious attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All five are facing felony charges and between five and ten years in prison. Since March 6, a nationwide defense campaign has been launched to demand that all charges on the Tampa 5 be dropped.

Davila spoke of the case and emphasized the need for students to continue to fight against political repression and in defense of diversity: “We continue to fight on campus. We continue to demand that our university take a stand for diversity, equity and inclusion, to protect Black history on our campus!”

The theme of fighting back against political repression and attacks on the First Amendment right to free speech was especially poignant given the recent upsurge in the Palestinian liberation movement starting October 7, when the Palestinian resistance launched operation al-Aqsa Flood. SDS reaffirmed its support for Palestinian liberation and raised up energetic chants of, “End U.S. aid to Israel! From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free! Free, free Palestine!”

On day two of the convention, students gathered to discuss and pass 18 resolutions covering topics from fighting against police brutality, to the fight for reproductive rights, and demanding an end to U.S. intervention in the Ukraine. SDS unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Palestinian resistance and calling for an end of all US aid to Israel.

After resolutions were passed, attendees marched to the University of Illinois administration building for a protest against the administration’s repression against student activists. In the lead up to the convention, UIC administration blocked the attempts by SDS to reserve rooms and other amenities every step along the way. Finally, students had to reserve a venue off-campus.

Students left the weekend energized to take what they had learned at the convention back home to their respective campuses to continue to build the student movement.

#ChicagoIL #SDS #Tampa5 #DEI #DeSantis #Palestine

Tampa, FL – On October 8, 300 pro-Palestine protesters lined the intersection of Fowler Avenue and 56th Street in the Tampa area in solidarity with the ongoing fight in Palestine against the Israeli occupation. The crowd was energetic, denouncing the terroristic Israeli government and the massive monetary support from the United States, chanting “Hey Joe Biden can’t you see? Gaza will be free!”

About a dozen Zionist counter-protesters came out. While tensions were sharp, they were eventually escorted to the other side of the street by dozens of cops who were summoned to protect them.

Aida Mackic, who helped organize the event, said “It’s vital to hold demonstrations here in the United States because we can bring attention to the injustices endured by the Palestinian people, and we also remind the world we cannot stand idle in the face of oppression.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took to Twitter to condemn the protest saying that the state of Florida stood resolutely with Israel. In reality, the demonstration proved that Floridians are willing to go to bat to support the people of Palestine in their righteous struggle.

#TampaFL #Palestine #Gaza #DeSantis #Zionism

Orlando, FL – Hundreds of people converged on Orlando City Hall on October 7, for the National March to Protect Trans Youth. Organizers from all over the country – including states as far as California, Louisiana, Montana and Connecticut – gathered to oppose Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ attacks on LGBTQ people.

Under DeSantis, Florida’s state legislature has passed waves of laws that restrict transgender access to healthcare and restrooms, as well as queer studies.

Jacob Muldoon, lead organizer with Orlando for Gender Equality, was at the event and spoke about its importance to the local community. “Orlando is one of the largest LGBT cities in the country, but it’s nestled in the heart of reactionary policies. After the Pulse shooting we need events like this to continue to remind our elected officials that we are continuing to fight for equality.”

When the crowd left City Hall and hit the street the number of protesters swelled to more than 350. They chanted, “Racist, sexist, anti-trans – Ron DeSantis go away” and “They say go back, we say fight back!” as they circled around the Seneff Arts Plaza three times before returning to City Hall.

Serena Sojic-Borne, an organizer with the Real Name Campaign, traveled from New Orleans to attend the protest. “In New Orleans, when Trump came to town we organized and shut him down. Today we’re shutting down the DeSantis agenda in Florida and tomorrow we’ll be building to shut down the entire Republican agenda at the RNC.”

The demands of the march were broad and united a variety of groups who have all been targeted by DeSantis’ repressive policies. One key demand was to drop the changes against the Tampa 5 – a group of student organizers who were arrested and brutalized by University of South Florida police while protesting against the reactionary House Bill 999 which restricts diversity programs, multicultural studies, faculty tenure etc. Member of the Tampa 5 Gina Davila explained that the struggle for trans rights and justice for Tampa 5 are linked. “DeSantis is attacking everyone, inside and outside of schools. That’s why we’re here today – it’s one struggle.”

Jamila Nicole, an organizer with Orlando for Gender Equality, spoke when the march returned to City Hall. She reminded the crowd of the seriousness of the threat that DeSantis’ attacks represent. “DeSantis wants to see trans people in one of three places: in the closet, in chains, or in the ground. He wants us to be as dead as his political career is.”

Many of the speakers and activists in attendance made plans to put a final nail in the coffin of the DeSantis agenda by building toward a massive march on the RNC in Milwaukee next year.

#OrlandoFL #LGBTQ #Trans #DeSantis #OGE #RealName

Appleton, WI – On Saturday, September 23, students, faculty, and other members of the Fox Valley community gathered at Lawrence University’s Warch Cinema in defense of the Tampa 5. In their second stop on their national tour, Lauren Pineiro and Chrisley Carpio of the Tampa 5 spoke to the LU community. Opening with chants of ‘drop the charges now!’ and ‘fight back!’, the Tampa 5 representatives spoke in detail of their case and its repercussions to the group of 35 people. For some, it was their first time hearing of the infuriating case, where the five protesters are facing five to ten years in prison on false charges.

Chrisley Carpio, Laura Rodriguez, Lauren Pineiro, Gia Davila, and Jeanie Kida were all charged with battery of a law enforcement officer, disrupting campus function, and resisting arrest. In reality, they were arrested for protesting against DeSantis’ House Bill 999 which will ban ethnic studies, women, and gender studies, cultural groups, and programs as well as take away rights to tenure for faculty.

Despite all the video evidence to show the contrary, the Florida state attorney has charged the five activists. As Carpio and Pineiro explained, USF also sided with the police, showing how despite the claims of being apolitical, universities eventually show their political nature and their politically repressive nature when it comes to shutting down progressive movements. The state attorney attempted to make the Tampa 5 sign letters of apology and admission of guilt to the charges to the same police officers that had brutalized, groped, and pinned the phony charges on them in the first place.

In response to the ridiculous proposition, Chrisley proudly proclaimed, “We said hell no! We will not sell out the movement!”

The Tampa 5 proved they were not to be intimidated. They have not backed down despite the case has affected all aspects of their lives – from the firing of university employee, Carpio, to the threatened expulsion of the students, being told to not speak to the media, and as Pineiro said, “These attacks should be seen for what they are: acts of political repression.”

“Regardless of whatever charges the state makes up, despite claiming to no longer run counter-intelligence programs, and no matter how many times we are lied to in our faces, the Tampa 5, SDS, and all people with a recollection of recent history won’t be fooled – the state cannot be trusted. We must reject the narrative of USF, the police, and the Florida state attorney, side with and defend the Tampa 5. Protesting is not a crime, protesting is a right that no amount of attacks from reactionaries and their police lackeys will be able to stop. The Tampa 5 remind us that protest scares the ruling class,” said Audari Tamayo, a leader with the LU chapter of SDS.

Tamayo continued, “Accordingly, the ruling class has retaliated, but we will not back down! DeSantis and his reactionary cronies are rewriting history, banning hard-fought for programs like ethnic, women, and gender studies, cultural programs, and attacking unions. This cannot go on without a fight. To close off, Carpio started to chant, “Drop the charges now! If we don’t get it, shut it down!”. But these aren’t just words, SDS and numerous other progressive organizations and individuals around the country remain committed to defending the Tampa 5 by any means necessary! Drop the charges now! Protesting is not a crime!”

Learn more about the Tampa 5 and how you can support them at defendthetampa5.org

#AppletonWI #Tampa5 #DeSantis #SDS #PoliticalRepression #RightToProtest #StudentMovement

Milwaukee, WI – More than 30 activists, organizers and supporters gathered at ZAO Church in Milwaukee on the evening of September 25 to listen to the Tampa 5's Chrisley Carpio and Lauren Pineiro talk about the situation in Florida and what led to their current struggle.

In March, Carpio and Pineiro, alongside other University of South Florida Students for a Democratic Society organizers, helped to lead a campus protest against Governor Ron DeSantis's racist, sexist and bigoted attacks on higher education. The protest turned violent when police assaulted and then arrested them. It was not the first time that USF SDS had protested something reactionary from the DeSantis administration.

“Bill after bill, the people of Florida have been fighting back. We are not staying silent. We are taking to the streets. Every bill that is passed, the people of Florida are resisting his racist, transphobic and sexist agenda. And SDS has been a part of that every step of the way,” said Pineiro.

“On every front, DeSantis has been attacking higher education, and our school has been rolling over and letting him do that. He also introduced HB 999 which later was passed as SB 266. It's a bill that bans funding for diversity programs, women's and gender studies, multicultural groups, and even social activist groups like SDS,” Pineiro continued. “We knew the history of the struggle to win all these programs in the first place, and we knew how our campus administration was reacting to the policies, so we knew we had to be a part of the struggle against them!”

Despite the repression they faced that day in March, the organizers knew they could not back down as their situation would be used as an example for other reactionary politicians across the country in dealing with their own protesters.

“We had two paths before us, one where we let them scare us, we keep our mouths shut, ignore the fact that we have rights, and just hope for the charges to go away; or we would tell everyone about what happened to us, we would fight back, we would get organized, we'd get our people out of jail, we'd make sure they couldn't do this to student protesters, and we'd spread the word so that the cops would be brought to justice, and we'd protect our right to protest DeSantis. Which decision do you think we made?” said Chrisley Carpio.

The Emergency Committee to Defend the Tampa 5 was founded in June 2023 and they announced a national tour shortly after. For the tour, the organizers facing this political repression, Carpio and Pineiro among them, would travel around the country to spread the word about their case and build a broad network of support to propel them toward victory in their struggle.

The event in Milwaukee was capped with the announcement of a unanimously-supported solidarity resolution from the executive board of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) Local 5000, a union representing more than 1000 healthcare workers across the state, in addition to a generous $1000 donation. The resolution concluded with a commitment to mobilize members for future actions pertaining to the Tampa 5.

#MilwaukeeWI #Tampa5 #DeSantis #SDS #WFNHP5000

Fight Back! is circulating this statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

The Tampa 5 – Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro, Laura Rodriguez, Jeanie K, and Chrisley Carpio – are the five Students for a Democratic Society protesters at the University of South Florida who were attacked by campus police and are now facing five to ten years in prison for protesting Governor Ron DeSantis' attacks on diversity programs and all of higher education.

They are currently touring the country to build their fight for justice. Click here to find out when they will be speaking in your area.

The Committee to Stop FBI repression stands firmly against political repression of people's movements, and therefore we believe the demand for justice for the Tampa 5 should be taken up and supported by all progressive people.

We need to demand that the DeSantis-appointed, unelected State Attorney Susan Lopez and Assistant Prosecutor Justin Diaz drop the charges. We need to win this case once and for all and protect the right of the student movement – and all social movements in the United States – to exercise their First Amendment right to free speech and to protest.

#Tampa5 #CSFR #SDS #DeSantis #PoliticalRepression #StudentMovement #Statements

Tallahassee, FL – On Wednesday, September 13, the FSU Students for a Democratic Society held a noise demo on Florida State’s campus. The demonstration began at the Integration Statue and looped around Landis Green, two of the most populated areas of campus. Students and faculty chanted “Stand up and defy! HB 999!” “Increase Black enrollment! FSU, end your silence!” and “Down with DeSantis!”

With this noise demo, the FSU SDS aims to bring attention to one of its three core campaigns for the 2023-2024 school year: “Defend Diversity @ FSU! Increase Black Enrollment!” Governor Ron DeSantis has passed bills to cut funding from diversity services throughout Florida colleges, which serves as a threat to the future of education in the state. Diversity programs were won through hard-fought struggle in the 1960s and 70s and DeSantis and his lackeys seek to reverse them. FSU is a predominantly white institution, so diversity programs, ethnic studies and multicultural groups are essential for African American, multicultural and marginalized students and faculty.

To kick off the noise demo, Joelle Nuẽz, president of FSU SDS, shouted, “FSU has consistently ignored and disrespected queer and trans students, Black students, Hispanic/Latino students, faculty, and more by ignoring the issue of attacks on diversity. We’re not going to let them ignore us anymore!”

The event was co-sponsored by VEGFSU, the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, the FSU Graduate Assistants United, FSU’s Black Men in Medicine (BMM). BMM President Miffordens Registre commented on the alarming attacks on Black history within both the liberal arts and the sciences, stating “We wholeheartedly reject any notion that diverse, respo nsible doctors can be made in an environment that stifles and crosses out any mention of them in the history books and debates their legacies out of classrooms. We will fight to see people like us honored and respected in every facet of education, healthcare, and beyond!”

FSU SDS and other groups, such as FSU’s United Faculty of Florida, the campus faculty union, have attempted to get more information from administration on how HB 999 will affect specific programs of study such as African American Studies and social work, but admin has consistently dodged giving clear answers. As a result, students and faculty are publicly announcing their plans to leave Florida State by the end of this school year. In conversation with Dr. Walter Boot, a psychology professor featured in the Tallahassee Democrat last month, he stated “It is so disappointing that it has come to this. I have been at FSU for 15 years, and at one point imagined I'd spend my entire career here. But I don't recognize this place anymore.”

FSU SDS closed out the event by declaring their plans to mobilize students to the next Board of Trustees meeting, set for November 10.

#TallahasseeFL #SDS #FSUSDS #TallyCAC #DeSantis #BlackEnrollment #DEI

Orlando, FL – Activists and community members gathered outside of the Orange County courthouse in Orlando on September 1 to protest the agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis, in the wake of his recent attacks on the democratic rights. The community came together to show their support for transgender rights, and to protest the bigotry of DeSantis and the political climate he has orchestrated.

The highlighted issue at the protest was Senate Bill 1674, which was signed into law by DeSantis in May. The new law criminalizes transgender people for using the bathroom that aligns with their gender, with punishments including a $1000 fine or imprisonment for up to a year. This is just one of the many actions by DeSantis that prove him to be an enemy of the people.

The protest was organized by Orlando for Gender Equality (OGE), a community organization committed to direct action for LGBTQ rights and gender equality. OGE used the protest to announce the beginning of their campaign to protect trans access to bathrooms. Participating organizations included Orlando FRSO, Poder Latinx, and SWAN (Stand with Abortion Now) of Orlando. Democrat Representative Anna Eskamani also spoke at the rally. Among the issues mentioned were the attacks on workers’ unions by the DeSantis administration, the censorship of education on Black history and LGBTQ people, the suspension of state attorney Monique Worrell, and how all these problems are interconnected.

“We can’t simply wait for three years down the line when DeSantis is out of office,” said Jamila Nicole, the OGE speaker and one of the hosts of the event. “We can’t even wait until next month when our city is set to celebrate Pride. We can’t learn about Black history now! We can’t be gay in school now! They’re trying to push us back into the closet now! My healthcare is banned now! We fight back, and we do it now, because we’re not going back!”

This protest was another step in the right direction to get people organized, build community and bring awareness to the issues facing the people of Florida and the world. As part of their trans bathroom access campaign, OGE announced a mobilization to the Orlando City Council meeting on September 11 to demand that the city guarantee the lowest possible level of enforcement of the trans bathroom ban and to generally do more to stand up against the DeSantis administration. Now is the time to get involved.

#OrlandoFL #OGE #DeSantis #PoderLatinx #SWANOrlando

The Nazi groups waved swastikas, DeSantis flags, and chanted “Jews will not replace us,” a slogan popularized at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, North Carolina. A notable attendee was Kent “Boneface” McLellan, a neo-Nazi who has reportedly traveled to Ukraine to serve with the Azov Battalion, showing how U.S. aid to Ukraine is being used to train and fuel the far-right movement of our own country. “The chickens coming home to roost,” as Malcolm X said.

While both mobilizations combined numbered less than 100 participants, and many traveled from out of state, neo-Nazis across the country are becoming more emboldened to hold public demonstrations and this must be analyzed. This increase in activity should be understood as the Republican Party openly embracing far-right political stances to mobilize their base, combined with the mainstreaming of racist and chauvinist politics by the media.

Organizations of all stripes are coming together against the rise of white supremacist terrorism, as seen following the murder of three Black people in Jacksonville. The people taking away reproductive rights and banning Black education are the same ones cozying up to white supremacists and neo-Nazi organizations.

We join with other organizations demanding that Governor DeSantis condemn these white supremacist mobilizations stoked by his policies and rhetoric. Governor DeSantis attacks teaching Black history in the legislature while white supremacists commit targeted attacks on Black people. This is national oppression in action.

The increasing activity of the far right extends beyond the DeSantis administration. The mainstreaming of far-right organizations and policies should be seen as a symptom of the decline of U.S. imperialism and power. The U.S. empire is in decline and our internal contradictions are sharpening. The time to join the fight is now! frso.org/join

#OrlandoFL #FRSO #FRSOOrlando #AntiFascism #Nazis #DeSantis