Tallahassee, FL – On February 2, around 80 Florida State University (FSU) students, representing FSU Against Aramark, FSU Students for a Democratic Society, FSUDems, and JStreet, marched across campus from Strozier Library to Dirac Library protesting Starbucks working conditions and standing in solidarity with Aramark workers on campus.

Aramark, a multibillion-dollar corporation, is known for consistently underpaying its workers at universities around the country. The protest, spearheaded by FSU Against Aramark, was the culmination of a three-day boycott of all campus Starbucks locations. The essence of this struggle is that, while campus Starbucks workers are expected to perform like corporate Starbucks workers, they are given none of the same benefits. Campus Starbucks are not owned by Starbucks themselves – instead Aramark pays Starbucks for the branding and recipes, meaning there are discrepancies in benefits between the two types of stores.

“Starbucks corporate committed to $15 an hour this summer. Why does Aramark refuse to do the same for employees at FSU?” asked Marci Lofaso, one of the main organizers of FSU Against Aramark.

This is not an issue unique to campus Starbucks locations. All of the campus food service workers are employed by Aramark and are victims of the same insufficient pay. “It is time we as a student body say no to [Aramark’s] reign!” demanded Evan Livingston, another organizer with FSU Against Aramark.

FSU Against Aramark is demanding that campus Starbucks workers be treated equally with corporate Starbucks workers. This means instituting a $15 minimum wage; sick pay for COVID-19; two weeks of formal training, and providing KN95 masks to all workers. All of these benefits would put campus Starbucks workers in line with their corporate coworkers.

The Aramark CEO makes $27 million a year, putting their CEO-to-worker pay ratio at 1712:1 (five times higher than the national average). While these demands are for Starbucks specifically, FSU Against Aramark believes all campus workers deserve increased wages and sufficient COVID protections.

Accounts from Aramark workers on campus clearly demonstrate the need for change. One worker detailed how Aramark underpaid them for “months” and said possibilities of backpay were “impossible and unattainable.” Another worker told how they were injured “by a tomato slicer” and “bled everywhere in the kitchen for around 30 minutes.” Since there was no manager on duty, the worker had to reach out to another Aramark branch to administer first aid and relieve their shift. Finally, an additional account detailed how campus Starbucks refused to hire them because of their disability, possibly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not trying to accommodate the worker. According to the corporate Starbucks website, “Partners with disabilities find a welcoming community at Starbucks,” but that seemingly does not apply to stores on FSU’s campus.

These are just some of the accounts of the conditions FSU campus workers are going through. Solidarity between students and workers is essential, especially for growing the labor movement post-graduation.

Campus workers “need our solidarity so that they can stand up and fight back,” Lofaso asserted.

FSU Students for a Democratic Society is dedicated to building the labor movement both on campus and in the community.

Dare to struggle, Dare to win!

#FloridaStateUniversity #FloridaStateUniversityFSU #Starbucks #FSUAgainstAramark

Tallahassee, FL – On November 6, over 30 students held a sit-in at a Sigma Lambda Beta’s multicultural fraternity informational meeting. The students and allies of the survivors gathered at the Sigma Lamda Beta meeting to protest its alleged conduct and defense of members accused of committing sexual assault.

Junior Melissa Carcamo, a survivor of rape, spoke on the importance of the sit-in, stating “I felt really anxious the whole day and when I got in there everything calmed down. It was like this is where I’m supposed to be right now.”

Carcamo largely organized and led the protest after her messages and responses were ignored by the fraternity when she accused Sigma Lambda Beta member Nicarao Estrada of rape. “I just want to put the pieces together. You can’t undo what happened to me, but you can take a weight off my shoulder, you can give me one less thing to stay up at night wondering, you can give me a reason to live.”

When protesters entered Globe auditorium, Carcamo confronted Sigma Lambda Beta Chapter President Alex Alvarado. The survivor asked why the organization ignored her previous attempts to redress her grievance against the perpetrator. She continued, “You can give me an answer and we’ll leave. This is a peaceful protest, we’re not here to riot, we’re not here to start a fight, we want dialogue.”

Alvarado responded, “The reason why it was so hard for me to help you back then is because I have my own traumas that I have experienced.” He went on to say that he wouldn’t allow Carcamo to continue to “attack him publicly” and “put him in that position.” After back and forth confrontation with the protesters, Alvaredo decided to cancel the fraternity meeting and reschedule another time. The fraternity left the space and refused to answer any follow-up questions from protesters.

Carcamo hopes that other survivors feel empowered to come forward. “I’m hoping that all of this, all this noise, can get someone to come forward, because we just need one more person to come forward at least Beta-wise and they can be shut down,” said Carcamo.

Carcamo went on to state that she hopes this sit-in inspires others to continue actions like this. “I started the fire, I need somebody else to keep it going.”

#TallahasseeFL #WomensMovement #PeoplesStruggles #FloridaStateUniversity #rapeCulture #SigmaLamdaBeta

Tallahassee, FL – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) led a protest against the militarization of the Florida State University Police Department (FSU-PD) at the steps of the Westcott administration building on Jan 27. Students called for the university to return the military weapons it acquired through the controversial 1033 Procurement Program. This program allows for local and state police departments to acquire surplus military weaponry and vehicles from the Department of Defense for a discounted cost. Students held signs reading “Money for education not militarization,” and “Campus is not a warzone.”

Regina Joseph led the student protest and riled the crowd with a chant of, “No justice, no peace, no military police!”

“We have seen various police departments militarize their police forces to brutally suppress peaceful protests across the nation and intimidate everyday people. We fear that the militarization of the FSU-PD could lead to similar results. Our campus is not a warzone,” said Shivani Ehsan, representing Tallahassee Dream Defenders.

After several rousing speeches by student organizers, the crowd marched into the administration building to deliver their demands directly to university President John Thrasher. Although the administration attempted to make the students leave, they stood firm until the president came out to meet with them. Thrasher refused the student's demands or to answer any questions regarding police militarization.

“John Thrasher was quite unequipped for dealing with our concerns. He said he sided with FSU-PD yet couldn't articulate to us his opinion about military grade weapons and why FSU has felt the need to purchase them. I think the concerns of the student body should have been taken into account before these weapons were purchased. He has failed to allow us to express our opinion through open forums, which he promised at the beginning of his presidency,” explained SDS activist Savannah Hawk.

To continue the campaign, students are submitting a referendum on police militarization to the Student Government Association ballot and are gearing up for a teach-in on the history of police militarization.

#TallahasseeFL #InJusticeSystem #SDS #PoliceBrutality #FloridaStateUniversity #antiPoliceMilitarization

Tallahassee, FL – Around 100 Dream Defenders and community members gathered in Lake Ella Park, Aug. 18, to speak out against the police murder of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. The rally also focused on the injustice of police brutality and systematic racism perpetuated by the U.S. The crowd was tired of the criminalization of Black and Brown people.

Dream Defenders President Brian Marshall started off the action, stating, “We must no longer stand for this New Jim Crow system and we must put an end to the criminalization of our youth.” The demonstrators then marched on the Tallahassee Police Department. The crowd was upbeat with their hands up, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot! “ Protesters gathered at the entrance of the Police Department where one by one, protesters voiced their anger with the racist status quo.

The rally not only brought attention to the killing of Mike Brown but also to brought to light to the misuse of police power and instances of police brutality in the Tallahassee community.

Vice president of the Dream Defenders, Regina Joseph, spoke on police misuse of power. She recounted the horrific case of a police shooting at a Tallahassee club. An unarmed teenager, Duane Strong, was killed by a police officer in the parking lot. The officer later claimed Strong attempted to back into the officer’s car. Although there were no grounds for the shooting, the police officer has yet to face any punishment whatsoever. Since 2000, over 24 cases of police shooting have occurred where there have been instances of police brutality or misuse of power, yet no real investigation has occurred.

FAMU Dream Defenders Vice president, Everton Foster, spoke out against the misuse of police power and accountability, stating, “At the root of police brutality problem is power. The American government has given the police excessive weaponry, excessive power and has made them responsible for very little.”

Other protesters brought light to issues regarding the downright racist misconduct used by police. Florida State University Dream Defenders organizer, Shivaani Ehsaan, stated, “ We must stand against oppression wherever it takes place. We are now seeing the violent use of American power both abroad and at home. We must stand with the Palestinian people who are facing the oppression of Israeli bombings done with the help of the U.S.”

The continued uprising in Ferguson and the nationwide actions in solidarity are finally putting the system of the New Jim Crow under trial by the people. Missouri police have resorted to tear gas and jailing protesters. To add another insult to injury, Missouri’s Governor Nixon has gone as far as to call in the National Guard. As a result of this blatant disregard for Black and Brown life, the widespread discontent has now growing.

#TallahasseeFl #TallahasseeFL #PeoplesStruggles #FloridaStateUniversity #DreamDefenders #Antiracism #FAMU #FSU #MichaelBrown #MikeBrown

Tallahassee, FL – Around 100 Dream Defenders and community members gathered in Lake Ella Park, Aug. 18, to speak out against the police murder of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. The rally also focused on the injustice of police brutality and systematic racism perpetuated by the U.S. The crowd was tired of the criminalization of Black and Brown people.

Dream Defenders President Brian Marshall started off the action, stating, “We must no longer stand for this New Jim Crow system and we must put an end to the criminalization of our youth.” The demonstrators then marched on the Tallahassee Police Department. The crowd was upbeat with their hands up, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot! “ Protesters gathered at the entrance of the Police Department where one by one, protesters voiced their anger with the racist status quo.

The rally not only brought attention to the killing of Mike Brown but also to brought to light to the misuse of police power and instances of police brutality in the Tallahassee community.

Vice president of the Dream Defenders, Regina Joseph, spoke on police misuse of power. She recounted the horrific case of a police shooting at a Tallahassee club. An unarmed teenager, Duane Strong, was killed by a police officer in the parking lot. The officer later claimed Strong attempted to back into the officer’s car. Although there were no grounds for the shooting, the police officer has yet to face any punishment whatsoever. Since 2000, over 24 cases of police shooting have occurred where there have been instances of police brutality or misuse of power, yet no real investigation has occurred.

FAMU Dream Defenders Vice president, Everton Foster, spoke out against the misuse of police power and accountability, stating, “At the root of police brutality problem is power. The American government has given the police excessive weaponry, excessive power and has made them responsible for very little.”

Other protesters brought light to issues regarding the downright racist misconduct used by police. Florida State University Dream Defenders organizer, Avinash Ramanathan, stated, “ We must stand against oppression wherever it takes place. We are now seeing the violent use of American power both abroad and at home. We must stand with the Palestinian people who are facing the oppression of Israeli bombings done with the help of the U.S.”

The continued uprising in Ferguson and the nationwide actions in solidarity are finally putting the system of the New Jim Crow under trial by the people. Missouri police have resorted to tear gas and jailing protesters. To add another insult to injury, Missouri’s Governor Nixon has gone as far as to call in the National Guard. As a result of this blatant disregard for Black and Brown life, the widespread discontent has now growing.

#PeoplesStruggles #FloridaStateUniversity #DreamDefenders #Antiracism #Tallahassee #FAMU #FSU #MichaelBrown #MikeBrown

Gainesville, FL – Two dozen students gathered in Gainesville, July 19, at a Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) day school. Students from the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and for the first time in SDS’s history, from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville attended. Months of planning the day school on SDS National Working Committee phone calls paid off nicely.

The purpose of the day school was two fold. First, the students honed their skills by attending workshops on a variety of topics central to organizing. Students learned how to make a flyer, how to host protests and demos and how to recruit new students to SDS. Second, the students geared themselves up for a new semester at their respective universities this fall by sharpening their political ideas and campaign plans.

The workshops also included learning how to do outreach and agitation among students to build for campaigns, and what the difference was between working in coalitions and broader united front work. The day school ended with dinner and a social that night.

SDSers went home fired up to build the student movement and fight back against injustice on their campuses and in the community this fall. Morale was high; especially after Florida SDS chapters worked together this past spring to win a campaign for undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates while attending college – the Tuition Equity campaign. Organizers plan to build on this and other successes.

Tampa Bay SDS organizer Jessica Schwartz said, “All the Florida chapters share similar concerns over transferal of leadership to younger organizers. The purpose of this is to help empower them to take leadership in SDS.”

Jacksonville SDS Organizer C.O. Scanlan said, “For someone just beginning his active involvement in an organization, the day school was incredibly encouraging. It put in clear, concrete terms the steps I need to take in providing the student struggle with another point of focus.”

Tallahassee SDS Organizer Zachary Schultz said, “The day school was an excellent opportunity to share our experiences organizing, and build unity around the methods which will lead the next generation of student activists to victory: militancy and organization.”

The main on- the-ground organizer of the day school, Michela Martinazzi from Gainesville SDS, said, “As many of the veteran SDSers graduate and move on to other struggles, it’s important that that newer organizers keep the same militant line and methods of organizing. I think today proved that all generations of SDS are organizing on the same page.”

To contact National SDS to talk about how to host a student organizer training or start an SDS chapter by visiting http://www.newsds.org/contact.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #FloridaStateUniversity #USF #UF #UniversityOfFlorid #FSU #Activism

Tallahassee, FL – On May 21, at a meeting of the Florida State University Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Tallahassee Dream Defenders spoke out against the nomination of Senator John Thrasher as the new Florida State University (FSU) president. Students from Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), FSU Progress Coalition and Graduate Assistants United joined them.

At the committee meeting a motion passed naming Florida Senator John Thrasher as the sole nominee of the presidential search. The committee’s vote of 15-9 in support of this controversial motion, despite the overwhelming opposition by students and faculty who all voted no, raises several red flags. The process for choosing the nominee is being criticized for its undemocratic nature. In addition, John Thrasher made many statements alluding to wanting the job, but failed to apply like other candidates. Thrasher is being given special treatment and students say it is because he is rich and politically powerful. They also say Thrasher is racist and anti-worker.

As reported previously by Fight Back!, John Thrasher has a history of opposing the interests of African American students in Tallahassee. Earlier this year, Thrasher proposed an amendment at the Florida State Capitol to split the FAMU-FSU engineering school, treating the historically Black college students at FAMU like second-class citizens. However, due to duplication laws, the proposed split faces legal issues. FSU’s Engineering College would be forced to relocate, similar to the displacement of FAMU’s law school, from Tallahassee to Orlando.

As the president of FSU Dream Defenders, Brian Marshall is concerned, “Thrasher has ignored the voices of students. For example, in his support of the engineering school split.”

There is also John Thrasher’s support for harsher sentencing policies that feed mass incarceration of African American, Latino and working class youth in the state of Florida. Thrasher accepts political contributions from private prison corporations like CCA and GEO Group. These companies take taxpayer dollars and are repeat human rights violators. Politicians like Thrasher vote to give them more contracts and money.

Thrasher’s record of criminalizing African American and Latino communities does not end here. Thrasher supported bringing racist Arizona-style immigration laws to Florida. With Florida students recently winning in-state tuition for undocumented students, will FSU be a safe place for the undocumented under Thrasher? Students are raising concerns that Thrasher will use his position as FSU President to perpetuate racist discrimination and national oppression against African Americans and Latinos in Florida.

As well, students and faculty question the motives of the hiring firm, R. William Funk and Associates. This is the same company responsible for the current Purdue University president Mitch Daniels, the reactionary former Governor of Indiana. Funk and Associates is currently under a non-competitive contract, meaning that Funk cannot pursue other work until this is settled. Members of the faculty claimed that William Funk is rushing the process in order to pursue more profitable jobs for other universities.

Students are upset with the lack of transparency in this search process. Dream Defenders and Students for a Democratic Society protested and spoke out during previous meetings of the Presidential Search Committee. In addition, members of FSU faculty are advocating for an academic, not a right-wing politician like Thrasher, to become the next FSU president. However it was not until May 21 that Thrasher was even confirmed as a nominee, while the voices of students and faculty are being completely ignored. Now the faculty union representing 1600 educators opposes the process and wants Funk and Associates replaced.

Jerry Funt, co-president of the FSU Progress Coalition, expressed that the students were prepared to resist John Thrasher. “The search committee, the search firm, the FSU Board of Trustees and John Thrasher all must take note; nothing that happens here will go unnoticed. We've been vocal, we've been consistent and we've been watching this process. Whoever the new president is, they will answer to us first and foremost; the decision as to who the president is should reflect that.”

Regina Joseph, vice-president of FSU Dream Defenders vows that if the Search Committee continues with its nomination, students will march against John Thrasher.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #FloridaStateUniversity #DreamDefenders #ReginaJoseph #JohnThrasher

Engineering students from both colleges, as well as students of other majors, spoke out vigorously against the proposal. The students were angered by the lack of democracy in the process. Student voices were never once heard when administrators put the proposal through. Many students denounce the proposal as a ‘separate but equal’ policy that treats students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as second-class students.

Brian Marshall, the campus president of FSU Dream Defenders, stated, “This proposal reeks of racism and sends a clear message that predominantly white institutions view themselves as superior over Black institutions.” Students chanted with passion, “Separate but equal is not for the people,” and, “FAMU or FSU, we believe in one goal, one E- school! One E-school! One E-School!” The Engineering School was a joint program run by both universities for 32 years. Reactionary Florida State Senator John Thrasher made the proposal to separate the two schools. John Thrasher is the campaign manager for Florida Governor Rick Scott and is vying for the spot as President of Florida State University. The split is being done under the guise of turning FSU into a Top 25 University.

Regina Joseph, FSU vice-president of Dream Defenders, stated, “FSU may be trying to be a Top 25 university, but it is clearly not concerned with being a Top 25 university in racial diversity and inclusiveness.”

Engineering students took time from their projects and called out the undemocratic move and stated unequivocally that the school would be best served if it stayed united. With only one week left to stop this racist proposal from coming to fruition, organizations like Dream Defenders and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) are urgently working to stop the split. African-American students in Tallahassee are angered by this second-class treatment. Many students conclude there is an utter disregard from both Florida politicians and campus administrators. Student organizers vow to thrash racism wherever they see it.

#TallahasseeFL #AntiRacism #BlackStudentMovement #FloridaStateUniversity #DreamDefenders #FloridaAgriculturalAndMechanicalUniversity

Tallahassee, FL- On Feb. 28, 35 courageous students gathered at the Florida State University (FSU) Integration Statues. At the very statue that symbolized the supposed diversity that Florida State claims, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and a broad array of organizations – including Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Dream Defenders and the Center for Participant Education – demanded tuition equity. This policy that would ensure undocumented students could afford the human right of obtaining an education and be granted in-state tuition like the rest of the Florida population.

The rally marked the end of Education for All Week, a series of events in support of tuition equity, which included teach-ins and classes to educate the student body on this important issue. In addition, the students petitioned to put a tuition equity referendum on the Student Government Association ballot, which passed with 72.2% of student voters.

At the start of the rally, student leaders gave several impassioned speeches. Speakers included SDS co-presidents Brianna Roman-Calderon and Andrew Arachikavitz, Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights president Cassie Barragàn, Center for Participant Education public relations officer Andreina Granado and the Dream Defenders local strategist Michael Sampson.

The students marched from the Integration Statue to the university president's office to bring their demands to the administration. The students sent a representative ahead to see if the president was available for a meeting, but the administration attempted to deceive students by claiming the president was not inside. The students saw through the administration’s lies and marched into the president's office, chanting to demand tuition equity. “Education is a right! Fight, fight, fight, fight!”

Shivaani Ehsaan, Campaign Coordinator of FSU SDS, said “The energized students stormed the ivory tower of President Barron's office and demanded that he meet the people's grievances of the discriminatory policy that is FSU's – and the greater state of Florida’s – tuition rates.”

The students all crowded into the office and demanded that the president show himself. Barron finally succumbed to the students and agreed to meet their demands. He vowed to support tuition equity and allow for increased involvement for students in the process. He agreed to involve five students in the Student Affairs Committee.

Mili Chapado, Policy Chair of Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said “Student groups at other colleges and universities are gaining momentum. We should strive to work with them to push for tuition equity state-wide.”

The campaign is in full swing and is gaining increased traction. Students for a Democratic Society plans on holding administration’s feet to the fire to ensure that they fulfill their promises with continued pressure through future student actions. In addition, the students will pressure those in power in the Florida legislature, through weekly call-ins as well as a statewide SDS action on March 20 at the Capitol.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #immigrantRights #FloridaStateUniversity #TuitionEquity

Tallahassee, FL – On Feb. 20, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Florida State University (FSU) held a press conference demanding “Tuition equity for undocumented students” on the school’s campus. Joining SDS was the leadership the Hispanic and Latino Student Union, Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Center for Participant Education, and the Dream Defenders. Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard spoke about SB 300, a bill he drafted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in the state of Florida.

The large group decided to hold their press conference in front of what is known on campus as the Integration Statue. It is a monument dedicated to a culture of inclusion and the promise of diversity at Florida State University, a promise administrators and lawmakers need to be reminded about.

Brianna Calderon-Roman of SDS explained, “We want a Florida which embraces different heritages and cultures and ideas, not one which creates roadblocks and rejects these things; things that we consider cornerstones of our state.”

Currently in the state of Florida, if a student or a student’s parents are undocumented, regardless of how many years they attended school in Florida, they are forced to pay the higher rates of out-of-state tuition. They currently pay between three and four times as much per semester as other state residents. This forces many bright students to go out of state or drop out until they can afford it.

Since SDS adopted their national Education-for-All campaign, the state of Florida is alive with organizing focused on securing equitable tuition for undocumented students. SDS chapters at both the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of South Florida in Tampa are pressing forward with campaigns begun last August. Students at those colleges held meetings with their Board of Trustees demanding that their schools grant undocumented students in-state tuition.

Now, FSU has picked up the gauntlet in the fight for tuition equity. Student leaders stated their demands while standing shoulder to shoulder and announced their Education-for-All Week and other plans of action.

“We have come here to announce that the united front you see before you will be hosting a week dedicated to Education-for-All. During the upcoming week of Feb. 24 through the 28, we will teach, and learn, and vote, and rally, and take direct action to achieve our collective goals and insure that the voice of the students in the state of Florida is a resounding one,” Brianna Calderon-Roman finished to a round of applause.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #immigrantRights #FloridaStateUniversity #TuitionEquity

Tallahassee, FL – The Palestinian national flag waved high above Integration Statue in the afternoon breeze, Nov. 19. Below it, about 50 people gathered at Florida State University (FSU) for a protest demanding an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza. Students from FSU and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) joined community activists in a march through the busiest parts of campus to stand with the Palestinian people.

Energetic chants of, “Free, free, Palestine” and “Gaza, Gaza, don't you cry. Palestine will never die,” echoed across Union Green as students leaving class stopped to watch the demonstration. Members of Students United for Justice in Palestine (FSU Chapter), Dream Defenders, Veterans for Peace, and the Center for Participant Education spoke, chanted and distributed leaflets as the protesters chanted for an end to the bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Regina Joseph, a student activist at FSU, explained the Israeli siege, saying, “The military occupation in Gaza is a testament to how far the U.S. backs Israeli state apartheid and the dehumanization of Palestinians.” Joseph called on more students to join the solidarity movement, adding, “It's important for us to show solidarity with the innocent civilians killed in recent attacks in Gaza and their families because their voices continued to be drowned out. I won't let my silence be complicit in the murder of Palestinians.”

After hearing a few speeches about the continued Israeli occupation of Palestine, the protesters marched through the student union holding signs and chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

The march stopped briefly at Woodward parking garage to watch two protesters drop a massive red banner off of the top floor that read, “No to Israeli occupation,” along with several accompanying demands. Passing cars honked in support of the protesters' message.

Mohammad Al-Kadah, a student at FSU and a member of Students United for Justice in Palestine, spoke about the importance of marching in solidarity with the people of Gaza. He said, “I know we all see the people suffering in Gaza and it hurts me seeing people ignoring what is going on over there. Instead of arguing who is right or wrong, it's more effective for all people, regardless of race, religion, and personal beliefs, to stand up for what is right.” Student leader Al-Kadah continued, “Children and families are dying in great numbers. The least we can do is show our sympathy for those who have died by showing our support.”

Returning to Integration Statue, protesters observed a moment of silence for the more than 100 people killed since the siege started. Some hecklers from Noles for Israel, the pro-war Zionist student group on FSU's campus, taunted the protesters and broke the moment of silence. Nevertheless, the protesters stood united and ignored their callous remarks.

Afterwards, interested students remained around Integration Statue talking to the pro-Palestinian organizers and asking questions.

Musa Darwish, a student at FAMU, spoke about the importance of solidarity actions in the U.S., saying, “I think that if we keep doing events such as this one to raise awareness, this is a way we can show solidarity towards Gaza.” On the conversations taking place afterward, Darwish stressed the importance of publicly discussing the conflict in Gaza. “Opening up dialogue can help lead to a peaceful resolution, and that is the bottom line that I am after as a Palestinian – peace.”

Many expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Students United for Justice in Palestine meeting on Nov. 28. At the meeting, activists and organizers will plan future solidarity actions with the Palestinian people and Gaza. Students are organizing to end U.S. funding for Israeli occupation.

#TallahasseeFL #Palestine #attacksOnGaza #FloridaStateUniversity #2012IsraeliSiege #StudentsUnitedForJusticeInPalestine #MiddleEast

Tallahassee, FL – On Oct. 5, about 50 students and community members rallied at Florida State University (FSU) to protest on the 11th anniversary of the war on Afghanistan.

Demonstrators highlighted the imperialist nature of the war in Afghanistan by chanting, “No blood for oil! U.S. off Afghani soil!” They also highlighted the rising rates of suicide and PTSD in U.S. soldiers.

The protesters started their rally on Landis Green in the heart of campus, attracting many supportive onlookers. Black and white signs displayed facts about the horrors of the U.S.’s longest war and demands to end it. Signs called for funding education, not war; pointed out that one in four women service members deal with sexual assault; and called attention to the civilian deaths resulting from predator drones. Drone attacks have caused 1,245 civilian deaths in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2011, according to the United Nations.

Speakers from diverse organizations, such as environmental groups, Palestine solidarity groups, and mental health advocacy groups highlighted an enemy held in common: the military-industrial complex.

“War is not good for women, children, soldiers, the environment, LGBTQ people, or people of color,” said Jessica Schwartz, co-coordinator of an FSU feminist group.

The group then marched to the student union and dropped two large banners reading, “Stand up for vets!” and “No more war! End U.S. imperialism!’'

Another anti-war demonstration is planned for Oct. 7, at the Florida state capitol, where protesters will read the names of the deceased and commemorate the fallen civilians and troops lost in the 11 years of war. This second demonstration is being organized by Vets for Peace and their allies in Tallahassee.

#TallahasseeFL #AntiwarMovement #AfghanistanWar #antiimperialism #FloridaStateUniversity

Tallahassee, FL – On Oct. 2, dozens of students from the Florida State University (FSU) Progress Coalition rallied on campus to protest FSU President Eric Barron's tuition hike policies. Students marched from the student union to the FSU administration's Westcott building, where they stormed into the president's office. Students demanded that Barron meet with students to address record student debt and his pursuance of the pre-eminence legislation, a bill that, if passed, could lead to possible record high tuition prices at Florida State University.

Students chanted, “Education is a right! Fight, fight, fight!” as they marched into the president's office, disturbing administrators’ offices.

“Increasing tuition is an attack on students,” said student organizer John Saullo. “We believe that raising tuition to make up for the loss of state funding is wrong and that new economic burdens shouldn't be placed on the backs of hard working students.”

President Barron was grilled by FSU Progress Coalition members who were able to force him to agree to a public forum with the student body as a whole.

“Students marched into the president's office to demand that he doesn't assist in policy that shackles students in debt,” said Progress protester Shivaani Ehsaan. “We know this campaign against higher tuition won't be solved in one action, but this is definitely a start.”

The Progress Coalition at FSU is a student rights group fighting against cuts to education and higher tuition.

“We are dedicated to making sure that the rights of students aren't being trampled on just for the interests of crooked right-wing politicians like Governor Scott who could care less about higher education,” said Cecelia O'Brien, an organizer with Progress Coalition. “We will keep fighting until universal education is a guaranteed affordable right.”

#TallahasseeFL #tuitionHikes #FSUProgressCoalition #FloridaStateUniversity #FSUPresidentEricBarron

Tallahassee, FL – Students at Florida colleges are making the issue of voter suppression a top priority this fall. On Sept. 4, a student civil rights group, Dream Defenders, protested Florida’s racist voter suppression laws. Students from Florida State University (FSU) and FAMU (Florida A&M University) organized a campus rally with dozens of student activists chanting, “Hey hey, ho, ho, the new Jim Crow has got to go!”

The protesters planned to confront reactionary Republican Governor Rick Scott, slated to speak at FSU’s campus. According to the FSU College Republicans, Scott canceled 45 minutes before the speaking engagement due to “scheduling conflicts.”

“We showed our dissent and discontent and made our voices heard against this racist piece of legislation,” said Dream Defender organizer Kristen Bonner. “The bill is discriminatory and seeks to oppress the Black and Latino vote of Florida and silence the voices of people of color, who are holding on to one of the last few rights we have as a community.”

The Dream Defenders are a growing movement, with campus chapters forming across Florida. The students demand that Governor Rick Scott suspend the voter suppression law while reinstating civil rights for non-violent ex-offenders. Scott extended to five years the time that non-violent ex-offenders had to wait before full restoration of their civil rights. The Republican governor’s move targets African-American and Latino communities in terms of their participation in elections.

“Decades ago, great men and women risked their lives for basic freedoms that weren't being extended to African-Americans and other people of color. Some paid the ultimate price fighting for them,” said Michael Sampson, Dream Defender organizer. “These new laws and continued policies being pushed by the reactionary right wing of this country represents a new Jim Crow and a new Juan Crow, and we must continue to organize and fight back against these oppressive measures to truly win freedom and power for our communities.”

Dream Defenders is an organization founded as a response to the murder of Trayvon Martin by the racist vigilante George Zimmerman on Feb. 26. Dream Defenders demands equality and protests injustices perpetrated against African-American and Latino peoples. The group is responsible for the three-day march from Daytona Beach to Sanford, Florida, where Trayvon was murdered. In an act of civil disobedience, the Dream Defenders shut down the Sanford Police Headquarters on April 9. George Zimmerman was finally arrested a few days later.

For their next step, Dream Defenders are planning a teach-in on how to organize against voter suppression, Sept. 27, at Florida State University.

#TallahasseeFL #Racism #GovernorRickScott #FloridaStateUniversity #voterSuppression #DreamDefenders #NewJimCrow

Tallahassee, FL – More than 200 students from Florida State University (FSU) marched on the streets here, March 26, to demand justice for Trayvon Martin. The marched started off at the FSU Integration Statue with organizer of the march, Michael Sampson, reflecting on “why we are marching for justice.”

“Any of us can be Trayvon Martin,” said Sampson. “We are here to stand up against a criminal justice system rooted in racism and demand justice for not just Trayvon Martin but all the other victims of institutional racism in this country.” An activist with Uhuru at FSU, Kristen Bonner also spoke out against racism.

The students then marched, yelling chants such as, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” The students marched through downtown Tallahassee to in front of the Old Capitol of Florida where they yelled and chanted for Justice for Trayvon.

At the Old Capitol, students from FSU were joined by FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) and Tallahassee Community College students.

FAMU activist Ciara Taylor told the crowd, “We are issuing a call to action to the youth and students of Florida, the United States and the world. We must make our mark in the pages of history. We must return to the days of old when youth and students came together, built organizations and directly challenged the power structures that have oppressed our communities. Our future depends on it. Our time is now, as it was for the youth that fought for Civil Rights just a few short decades ago. How many of our Black and brown youth have to die? The torch is ours. The time is now.”

#TallahasseeFL #AfricanAmerican #AfricanLiberation #CivilRights #FloridaStateUniversity #TrayvonMartin

Tallahassee, FL – On Thursday, March 1, the student movement in the United States took a collective step forward in the fight for higher education. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), along with Occupy Education groups across the country and other progressive student organizations, held a nationwide day of action against crippling budget cuts, tuition hikes, and student debt.

Stephanie Taylor, an SDS organizer in Minneapolis-St. Paul, described this groundbreaking nationwide mobilization by saying, “Nearly 20 SDS chapters nationwide protested on March 1st. While campuses focused on issues particular to their own areas, students throughout the country united with calling for an end to tuition hikes and to cut bloated administrators’ salaries. Access to education is a right for everyone, not just for families who can afford it! We see the 99% on our campuses as the students, workers, and faculty who make the university run, and the 1% as the fat-cat administration on top who earn executive wages.”

In Chicago, Illinois, more than 100 students marched and rallied downtown at the Chase Bank Tower. A few students organized a short political theatre sketch, in which mock-representatives of Chase handed out fake diplomas in exchange for immense student debt. Afterwards, the students marched to DePaul University’s campus and held a sit-in to demand a meeting with President Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider about rising tuition costs.

Looking south to Florida, over 50 students from Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and several local high schools gathered outside of the State Capitol to rally against budget cuts, tuition hikes, and exclusion of undocumented students from Florida’s public universities. After a few students gave militant speeches, they marched inside the Capitol, loudly chanting “No ifs! No buts! No education cuts!” and “They say cut back! We say fight back!”

Michael Sampson, an organizer with Progress Coalition and Uhuru FSU, said, “Students from FSU, FAMU, TCC, and even high-schoolers came out to show that they are fighting back against attacks on education by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature.”

The group of students read a speech directly outside of Governor Scott’s door and proceeded to stage a sit-in on the fourth floor of the Capitol. Some parents who happened to be visiting the legislature that day then joined the students!

At the end of the rally, Sampson pointed out, “Rick Scott was scared to come out of his office to meet us and hear our demands, but we won’t stop knocking at his door and next time we’ll bring hundreds. We’re not stopping!”

Further south in Gainesville, Florida, around 20 students from the University of Florida rallied outside of Tigert Hall, the Administration Building, to protest the University’s retention of Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos as a professor making $75,000 annually. While taking a big paycheck from the University, Haridopolis has led the charge to slash higher education in Florida.

The University of Florida students hung an enormous banner across both doors of Tigert Hall reading “Worst Professor Ever” in reference to Haridopolis. They then proceeded to fill out negative student evaluation forms, which denounced Haridopolis’ attacks on students, workers, and undocumented families.

Marie Dino, an organizer in Gainesville Area SDS, said, “Yesterday’s action was very powerful because our direct focus was on the source of these attacks on students. It’s time to get Haridopolis out of our campus and out of reach from our pockets!”

In Tampa Bay, SDS at the University of South Florida organized a walkout and a rally at the Marshall Student Center. Almost 200 students attended, and after several students gave militant speeches outside, the students forcibly occupied the Student Center and staged a sit-in, demanding an end to tuition hikes and budget cuts.

Corey Uhl, an organizer with Tampa Bay SDS, described the walkout as, “a symbolic act that represents what classrooms will look like if these budget cuts and tuition hikes pass – empty.” Uhl continued by saying, “USF will no longer have a diverse student body if these cuts pass. That’s why we’re fighting back!”

When asked about SDS’s role in future nationwide actions, Taylor said, “March 1st marked the third annual March day of protest for education rights and SDS was proud to be a major component of building for the day. This is just the beginning of a long spring of struggle and resistance to the 1% of our country devaluing education and making it more and more inaccessible for the average student.”

#TallahasseeFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #EducationRights #DePaulUniversity #FloridaStateUniversity