On Thursday, December 1, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) led a march to the president of the University of South Florida’s mansion to protest the university’s low Black student enrollment. The students also called for the University of South Florida (USF) police department to cancel its participation in the 1033 Program, which allows police to buy decommissioned military weapons from the Department of Defense, and students say the police department should return the equipment it received from the program.

This march came a few days after a call-in campaign in which the university president refused to meet with students to discuss these demands.

The students were instantly met with hostility from the university police when they marched towards the front of the president’s mansion, where new USF president Rhea Law was hosting the university’s annual holiday fundraiser. The university police threatened the students with trespassing charges and even jail time if they didn’t leave the property, which is part of the public university campus.

“Our tuition money pays for her salary and this mansion, yet Rhea Law won’t meet with us and has the police threaten us!” said Victoria Hinkley of Tampa Bay SDS, who was leading the march.

Outside the gates of the president’s mansion, Tampa Bay SDS continued their protest as donors and university staff arrived at the fundraiser. Rhea Law is USF’s third president since Tampa Bay SDS started raising concerns about USF’s declining Black student enrollment. Previous president, Steven Currall, conceded to some demands in Fall 2020 and stated that the university would put more resources toward increasing Black enrollment. However, Black student enrollment has continued to decline.

“Nobody is holding the school accountable,” said Gareth Dawkins of Tampa Bay SDS. “That’s why we have to keep protesting, otherwise USF would gladly leave Black students behind.”

University Police Chief Chris Daniels, who has an active racial and gender discrimination lawsuit against him, attempted to tell the protesters that the police department already pulled out of the 1033 program and sent back the assault rifles obtained through it in 2010. However, in multiple interviews and press releases since 2010, the university police department references being part of the 1033 program. This includes an interview from summer 2020 in which Daniels says the department would never leave the 1033 program or return the weapons obtained through it.

“The police wants us to trust them, but it’s impossible when they lie to our face,” said Dawkins. “We’re demanding that the police make information about their budget and arsenal completely open to the public.”

After an hour of speeches, chanting and garnering support from fellow students and staff, Tampa Bay SDS marched away from the president’s mansion committed to continuing their campaign to increase Black enrollment at USF and demilitarize the university police.

#TampaFL #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

Gainesville, FL – Este otoño, grupos estudiantiles en Tallahassee, Pensacola, Gainesville, Tampa, y Orlando están haciendo mucho activismo y están ganando sus demandas, mientras que las clases se resumieron sólo hace unas semanas.

En agosto, muchas ramas nuevas del grupo Estudiantes por una Sociedad Democrática (Students for a Democratic Society – SDS) se formaron. La Universidad del Florida del Sur (USF) ahora tiene una nueva rama, SDS de Tampa Bay. Su primera reunión tuvo más de 30 estudantes que quieren luchar contra el intento de la administración de subir el precio de su educación.

Un grupo de estudiantes afro-americanos, Uhuru, se formó en la Universidad Florida State (FSU) para llevar la lucha contra cortes económicos a las universidades en Tallahassee. Están dedicados a combatir el racismo y formar solidaridad en la comunidad de los jóvenes afroamericanos. Uhuru en el FSU es en buen amigo de SDS a nivel nacional.

Una de los áreas más afectadas por la crisis económica, la llamada “Florida Panhandle” tiene estudiantes que ahora quieren organizar una nueva rama de SDS en Pensacola, con 25 estudiantes en su primera reunión. Los estudiantes también quieren combatir los recortes económicos con el grupo ¡Lucha y Resiste!–Florida (Fight Back–Florida) que tiene 14 ramas en la Florida.

SDS en el UCF en Orlando ha ganado muchas cosas también con su periódico, Sonidos de una Sociedad Democratica (Sounds of a Democratic Society).

SDS de Gainesville empezó el año escolar con una reunión a la que asistieron más de 50 estudiantes. Los estudiantes quieren combatiar el aumento de 15% en el precio de su educación.

Gainesville SDS recientemente ganó dos de sus campañas prolongadas.

Primero, despidieron al policía racista que le disparó al estudiante Kofi Adu-Brempong el año pasado en marzo 2010. El policía le disparó en la cara a Kofi, pero él no fue despedido por eso sino que por ser malo con un hombre blanco.

SDS de Gainesville también paró el Block Tuition, un plan hecho por la administración de la Universidad de la Florida con la que cobraria a los estudiantes por clases que no iban a cursar.

También, se han formado ramas de SDS en el campus de USF en St. Petersburg y en Miami. Los estudiantes en la Florida están liderando sus movimientos en formas creativas y ciertamente será emocionante ver lo que son capaces de cumplir este año. Pronto anunciarán sus planes para protestar en la Convención Republicana Nacional en Tampa.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #FloridaStateUniversityFSU

Gainesville, FL – On Sept 14, the University of Florida chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied together in favor of Palestine’s United Nation’s bid for statehood. About 30 students came together in Turlington Plaza to chant and hold signs supporting the Palestinian liberation struggle.

Led by SJP President Mohammad Tina, thunderous cries of “Free, Free Palestine!” and “Gaza Gaza, don’t you cry! Palestine will never die!” echoed across the Plaza as students changed classes.

“SJP stands for peace and justice for all oppressed people, but particularly those in the Middle East,” said Tina in a speech about the purpose of his organization on campus.

In bold red, white, and green – the colors of the Palestinian national flag – student activists held signs reading “United Nations 194th member: Palestine,” and “Stop illegal settlement-building in Palestine.”

In between the militant chants, several student activists gave speeches explaining the reason for the rally.

“Palestine deserves the same inherent rights that every nation does – the right to self-determination,” said SDS activist Dave Schneider, “which is just the right to chart out their own collective destiny.”

This demonstration arrived on the heels of a reactionary Zionist resolution passed in the University of Florida Student Senate the night before.

Although the Greek-dominated Student Government is overwhelmingly Zionist, SJP’s rally was met with no organized opposition. As the hour-long rally progressed, interested students stopped and joined the event by holding signs and chanting along.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #Palestine #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #StudentsForJusticeInPalestineSJP #PalestinianStatehood

Gainesville, FL – The group Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in Gainesville has a new reason to celebrate. On Sept. 6, student activists at the University of Florida (UF) defeated the block tuition system proposed by the administration and their Board of Trustees.

If implemented, block tuition would have charged every student a flat tuition rate for 15 credit hours, regardless of how many credit hours students actually take. This system would unfairly target working students and oppressed nationalities by forcing them to pay for classes they are not taking.

Facing renewed militant student resistance to tuition hikes, the Board of Trustees voted Sept. 6 to repeal this system. After hearing about the victory, SDS lead organizer Michela Martinazzi said, “Administration tried to cheat students out of a fair education. SDS fought back, the students fought back and administration backed down.”

Although the administration downplayed the role of activism in stopping block tuition and instead cited an increase in four-year graduation rates, these graduation rates have increased steadily since the 1980s.

Last semester, over 300 students marched to Tigert Hall, the administrative building, and demanded an end to block tuition, which succeeded in delaying the system’s implementation. In an interview with a local newspaper, University of Florida Trustee Carlos Alfonso admitted that militant student resistance to block tuition was the main reason block tuition was postponed.

With block tuition delayed, SDS put a referendum question attacking administration’s proposal on the spring Student Government ballot, asking students if they agreed with the system or not. More than 90% of students voted against the policy.

As SDS mobilized to continue the struggle this fall, the administration panicked and repealed their proposal.

Addressing the University of Florida Student Senate, SDS organizer Dave Schneider credited student resistance with the victory instead of graduation rates. “It’s not a question of who defeated block tuition. It’s a question of what defeated block tuition. Activism.”

Following their victory over block tuition, SDS launched its campaign against the 15% tuition hikes passed by the Board of Trustees over summer. Their first action is a rally scheduled for Sept. 16.

Speaking about their new campaign, SDS lead organizer Chrisley Carpio said, “Campaigns aren’t meant to last forever. Campaigns are meant to be won, and with a united coalition of student organizations, we can’t be stopped.”

#GainesvilleFL #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #UniversityOfFlorida #BlockTuition

Tampa, FL – All across Florida this fall, student activists in are off to an amazing start. Groups in Tallahassee, Pensacola, Gainesville, Tampa and Orlando have blasted onto the scene with activism and victories, although universities and colleges started 2011-2012 classes only weeks ago.

August saw the rise of several new Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapters and affiliates in various cities across Florida. The University of South Florida (USF) is now home to Tampa Bay SDS, whose first meeting ended up channeling the anger of over 30 students into concrete ways to fight tuition hikes on their campus. Tampa Bay SDS is also preparing for the upcoming March on the Republican National Convention happening next year.

Along with more traditional approaches to student activism, some students in Florida have decided to try experimental approaches. The newly formed Uhuru at Florida State University (FSU) is taking the fight against state budget cuts into the midst of Black and Brown students across Tallahassee’s various college campus. Their level of dedication to fighting racism and establishing a strong sense of nation-hood in the minds of young oppressed nationalities is remarkable. Uhuru at FSU has affiliated with SDS on a national level, drawing benefits from a large network of enthusiastic supporters, but retaining its autonomy on a local level.

Often referred to as the “Third World of America,” the Florida Panhandle saw students organize a new SDS chapter with a strong emphasis on fighting state budget cuts and participating in the Fight Back! Florida coalition to end cuts, a coalition which has chapters in 14 cities across the state.

SDS at the University of Central Florida in Orlando is also making strides in their community through their excellent self-published magazine, Sounds of a Democratic Society.

Last but not least, Gainesville Area SDS has become a major center for student activism in the United States, kicking the year off with a strategic planning meeting attended by over 50 students. Recently, the students shifted their focus to fighting the 15% tuition increase that recently rocked their school, with high hopes for repealing the increase. Incredibly, Gainesville Area SDS recently won two of their protracted campaigns – seeing that the racist police officer who shot Kofi Adu-Brempong in last year's March police brutality case finally get fired for good, and defeating the Block Tuition plan crafted by their administration which threatened to charge students for classes they weren't taking – administrators which have recently announced an end to Block Tuition as per the demands of Gainesville Area SDS.

Students in Florida are already leading their movements in creative ways and it will certainly be exciting to see what they are able to accomplish this year.

#TampaFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #FloridaStateUniversityFSU

Around 50 protesters gathered outside city hall to make their voices heard. They chanted, “Same story every time, being homeless is not a crime” and held large signs reading “Food is a right” and “Feed everyone.”

The Coalition to End the Meal Limits NOW is a grassroots organization made up of various student and labor activist groups. The meal limit ordinance was part of the reason why the National Coalition for the Homeless ranked Gainesville as the fifth meanest city for homeless people in the nation.

It wasn't until the Coalition to End the Meal Limits NOW was formed did the idea of repealing the ordinance take shape. Richard Blake from Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) called the repeal a “victory for the working poor” adding that “the city commission had no choice but to listen to the Coalition.”

#GainesvilleFL #PoorPeoplesMovements #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #CoalitionToEndTheMealLimitsNOW

Gainesville, FL – The Graduate Assistants Union (GAU) and allies from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied against student fees leveled upon graduate students at the University of Florida, Aug. 16. Volunteers began by leafleting and talking to teaching assistant employees about the importance of banding together and fighting for the union that provides them with healthcare and pay stipends. Many graduate students are surprised to learn that without the union, fees would go up every year like other campuses. Now the GAU union hopes to eliminate the fees, making graduate school more affordable for everyone. Most graduate student employees understand how poorly the administration treats them, despite teaching almost 50% of all undergraduate courses.

Halfway through the University's orientation for new teaching assistant employees, GAU Chief Steward Jose Soto and volunteers from SDS delivered an in-depth presentation about the importance of the GAU's current campaign – eliminating all student fees for graduate students and providing more accessible education. Hundreds of students and teaching assistant employees began chanting “No more fees!” in spite of university administrators sitting uncomfortably in the front row of the assembly room. “Workers at Wal-Mart and McDonald's don’t pay to work there, so why do employees at UF pay to work here?” Soto asked. During the next break period, many students signed up to be union members at the GAU table.

Then at a GAU lunch outside the assembly hall a spontaneous rally came together. The GAU’s Jose Soto delivered an empowering speech urging teaching assistant employees to fight for the elimination of student fees. Richard Blake, a member of Gainesville SDS, said, “It's great to rally with the graduate employees who teach our classes and educate people about the benefits that a union brings to their workplace.” SDS will continue to lead the fight for education rights, for accessible education and support the struggles of working people for better pay, benefits, and a good quality of life.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #studentFees #UniversityOfFlorida #GraduateAssistantsUnionGAU #GAU

Gainesville, FL – About 300 workers and students demonstrated here, March 25, against the state government's attacks and cuts. The protest was organized by Fight Back Florida, a coalition of union members and students who organized rallies all over the state. In addition to Gainesville's rally and march, 14 other cities joined in a day of action against Governor Rick Scott's attempt to make public employees pay for the budget crisis. People around Florida joined together to tell the government that if it cuts back, “we will fight back.”

Governor Rick Scott, a multimillionaire, claims that public employees like teachers, bus drivers and communication workers are to blame for the crisis. Meanwhile, Scott has given record tax cuts to corporations and the rich – those responsible for the crisis.

Students and workers started out rallying at the University of Florida campus. Students will be largely affected by the massive cuts to scholarships and grants. These grants and scholarships are the only things that allow poor and working-class students to go to school.

The 300 people who met at the campus rally listened to a wide range of speakers, including representatives from the local ACEA (teacher's union), SDS (Students for a Democratic Society), the electricians (IBEW) and a number of other local unions being attacked by Governor Scott's budget cuts. The representative of the teachers union said, “it isn't just about pensions or the FCAT [the standardized test required for K-12 students], it's about freedom!” The crowd then chanted “Freedom!” From there, hundreds of people marched down to City Hall, taking up (and holding up) a lane of traffic. Armed with megaphones, the people chanted, “Tax the rich!” and “Hey hey! Ho ho! Rick Scott has got to go!”

Once at City Hall, the city government was put on the spot. Rally leaders read a document titled “Fight Back Florida Declaration from City Hall.” The people demanded that the city protect its workers, students and families. From there, a banner was mounted over the doors declaring the city of Gainesville a Labor Sanctuary – a safe haven from Governor Scott's massive cuts. The declaration was also taped to the door. Only people united can protect themselves from the right-wing attacks of the state government.

At rallies across the state of Florida, thousands of people fought for the same thing: To protect their jobs and families from attacks by corporations, the rich and the bought and paid for politicians. The protesters will continue to fight so the people’s needs are met – for education, emergency services, public transportation and social services. The Republican governor and the rich want more profits for the few. Fight Back Florida plans to meet and continue to fight to make the rich pay for the crisis they created.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #FightBackFlorida #GovernorRickScott

Gainesville, FL – Chanting, “When the Muslim people are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” about 300 people rallied and marched here Sept. 11 in response to the threatened Qur’an burning by Pastor Terry Jones's church, the Dove World Outreach Center. The protest was organized by the Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and it received support from the community at large.

The protest began at Possum Creek Park, where speakers denounced the anti-Muslim bigotry and racism that is spread by the Dove World Outreach Center. From there, demonstrators marched to the church. Cops prevented protesters from using bull horns, but they were not silent. Among their chants was, “Same thing every time, being Muslim’s not a crime!” and, “Hey hey, ho ho! Terry Jones has got to go!” Students for a Democratic Society carried a large banner reading, “SDS stands against bigotry and racism.”

Justin Wooten, a protest organizer and member of SDS stated, “We sent a message to the world that our community is opposed to racism and anti -Muslim bigotry. We know that reactionary politicians who promote hatred of Muslims have a deeper agenda. They are prompting the racism and inequality that’s faced by Arabs, South East Asians and African Americans. And they are supporting U.S. wars and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq.” Wooten also noted that backers of Israel have worked hard to support anti-Muslim bigotry.

The Gainesville protest was one of the many that took place across the United States on Sept. 11. In New York City, 10,000 people rallied in solidarity with the Muslim community in the struggle over the Islamic Community Center near the World Trade Center site. Other protests against anti-Muslim bigotry took place in a number of cities, including Minneapolis, Ashville, North Carolina and Chicago.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #Islamophobia #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #KoranBurning

Gainesville, FL – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) came together here, Sept. 10, for a pre-demonstration action at the Dove World Outreach Center, the site of the possible Qur’an burning. SDS organizers announced plans for major march and rally Sept. 11 to oppose racism and anti-Muslim bigotry.

Justin Wooten of Gainesville area SDS states, “We are serious about standing up to these reactionaries and racists. We will not remain silent in the face of anti-Muslim bigots. We are ready to march on them tomorrow.”

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #Islam #Koran #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

Jared Hamil, of the Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), stated, “Just because the Dove World Outreach Center decided not to burn Qu'rans doesn't mean that Islamophobia and racism have disappeared. There's still hate and bigotry in the world that we need to fight against and Gainesville Area SDS vows to be at the forefront of that fight.”

Fernando Figueroa of Gainesville Area SDS hailed the announced cancelation of the Qur’an-burning as a victory, stating, “This is a victory for the world's progressive people in general and the Gainesville community in particular. Gainesville Area SDS has shown that our communities have the power to win against the hatred, racism and bigotry of a handful of people. On Saturday we will fight onwards to the next victory.”

Figueroa also stated that the progressive movement needs to keep in mind that the pastor might go back on his word or that other anti-Muslim bigots might burn Korans on Sept. 11.

According to some press reports, a small reactionary church in Kansas has announced plans to burn Qur’ans.

#GainesvilleFlorida #GainesvilleFL #AntiwarMovement #AntiRacism #TerryJones #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #Koranburning

Gainesville, FL – Fight Back! interviewed Justin Wooten from the Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society about the upcoming protest against the burning of the Qur’an in Gainesville, Florida on Sept. 11.

Fight Back!: We're here with Justin Wooten, a key organizer in the Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), to talk about leading the fight against the Dove World Outreach Center and the burning of the Qur’an on Sept. 11. Justin, could you briefly explain the situation for us?

Justin Wooten: The Dove World Outreach Center is a small right-wing church led by a pastor named Terry Jones, and they are a group that consistently promotes hatred and bigotry towards Muslims and Arabs. Their claim to fame involved sending small children to school with shirts that read, “Islam is of the Devil” in an attempt to promote ignorance and intolerance among youth. Now they are burning Qur’ans on Sept. 11 in an attempt to bring their message of hate to a global audience.

SDS is here to crash their hateful party and show that the Gainesville community will not stand for discrimination against our Muslim brothers and sisters. The Dove World Outreach Center planned to have an armed group called Right Wing Extreme protect them from the large counter-protest we are planning, but Right Wing Extreme went back on their promise to participate and help with the Qur’an burning. Dove was denied a burn permit for their disgusting plans by the City of Gainesville and now Dove's insurance company has canceled their insurance and Terry Jones must pay a large sum of money or find a new place to preach hate. It doesn't look like they'll be able to pay their debt.

Fight Back!: Why has SDS chosen to hold a counter-protest next to the site of the Qur’an-burning? Why not participate in the smaller candlelight vigil in downtown Gainesville?

Wooten: While we respect any and all methods of resisting the terrible tragedy that will happen when Terry Jones and his cronies demonstrate their ignorance to the world, SDS believes we should militantly fight back against this sickening event. The best way to do this is to hold a rally with speakers and march over to the Dove World Outreach Center with the community and show Terry Jones that Gainesville is more committed to opposing him and his message of hate than he is to his ignorant beliefs.

A counter-protest tells the world that Gainesville is not afraid to confront bigotry and racism head on, and that's the message we want to spread on Sept. 11. Terry Jones wants the world to focus on the actions of himself and a handful of people on Sept. 11, but SDS will ensure that the real focus is on Muslims and their allies in the Gainesville community standing up for what is right.

Fight Back!: What do you hope to accomplish on Sept. 11 with the counter-protest SDS is planning?

Wooten: We hope to show the world that Gainesville won't stand for bigoted attacks on Muslims and Arabs. We want people to know that our community won't tolerate this and that this is just a desperate attempt to raise racist sentiments to support deeply unpopular wars. We want peace, not hatred and war. We want the U.S. war and occupation in Afghanistan to end now. Bring the troops home. We want a full withdrawal from Iraq, not this partial plan we have now. No more U.S. bases.

The right has a terrible agenda centered on making people afraid of challenging injustice and dividing us, and the only way to stop them is to organize our communities and protest the injustices and wrongs that the right wing promotes.

One of our main goals is to outnumber the people burning Qur’ans by hundreds of protesters and it looks like we will achieve our goal and that no one will be able to think of Sept. 11, 2010 without thinking about how our community stood up and rejected bigotry and racism in a very big way. The Dove World Outreach Center's message of hate will be drowned by our message of solidarity with the Muslim community’s and our community’s commitment to justice.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #Koran #DoveWorldOutreachCenter #TerryJones #GainesvilleAreaStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS