The minute I read the first sentence of the opening crawl – “Luke Skywalker has vanished” – I knew I was watching Star Wars again. Indeed, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, delivered the goods that fans of the original trilogy craved out of the extremely underwhelming prequel movies. Director J.J. Abrams mixed a potent cocktail of original storytelling, proven plot elements, dynamic new characters and familiar actors (Harrison Ford giving his best performance in 25 years). Over the film's 135-minute runtime, I felt the same childhood sense of awe and excitement that I experienced as a seven year-old watching the original films for the first time.
Jacksonville, FL – A dozen community organizers gathered on Nov. 14 to discuss political theory. The event was organized by members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) at a local union hall owned by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
Jacksonville, FL – About 25 people gathered in front of the Florida Times Union Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 5 to protest the visit of Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel. Barak is a war criminal responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
Jacksonville, FL – On Sept. 4, 4th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey cleared the two white police officers who shot and killed D'Angelo Stallworth, a 28-year-old African American father in Jacksonville. Two Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) deputies killed Stallworth outside his apartment in May of this year while serving an eviction notice on a neighbor. Stallworth's death sparked mass outrage and several large protests from the community demanding justice.
Jacksonville, FL – On August 8, activists in Jacksonville staged two demonstrations tied to the Black Lives Matter movement. In the morning, community organizers rallied for a press conference outside of the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center against the mass incarceration of Black youth. Later that day, young activists led a Black Lives Matter march through downtown Jacksonville against racist police crimes.
Jacksonville, FL – On August 2, more than 35 people from across Jacksonville attended a forum on institutionalized racism. Sponsored by the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition (JPC), the event featured a stack of speakers who addressed the Black Lives Matter movement, the struggle against police crimes and the fight against mass incarceration.
Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 activists and community members gathered here, July 26, to honor Sandra Bland. Bland, who supported the Black Lives Matter movement, became national news when she was found dead in her jail cell after being arrested for a minor traffic offense. Many doubt the official story that Bland committed suicide, especially after video evidence surfaced of Bland being handled roughly by the police.
Jacksonville, FL – On the morning of July 20, protesters began filming on sidewalks and public property outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Despite the orders of Chief Fourth Circuit Court Judge Mark Mahon, signs criticizing him were proudly displayed. The group marched to the front of the courthouse, shouting “Photography is not a crime,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, that Judge Mahon has got to go.”
Jacksonville, FL – On the morning of July 20, protesters began filming on sidewalks and public property outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Despite the orders of Chief Fourth Circuit Court Judge Mark Mahon, signs criticizing him were proudly displayed. The group marched to the front of the courthouse, shouting “Photography is not a crime,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, that Judge Mahon has got to go.”
Jacksonville, FL – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is targeting United Parcel Service (UPS) for their leadership role in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate policy organization that drafts and pushes anti-worker legislation in state governments.
