Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

JacksonvilleFL

By staff

Jacksonville, FL – Charges against Diamonds Ford, a woman who was accused of shooting a law enforcement officer in 2020, have been dropped.

After Diamonds' arrest, local organizers launched the “Justice for Diamonds Ford” campaign, which included rallies, cultural events and weekly call-ins to demand the state attorney drop the charges.

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By staff

Jamee Johnson. | Fight Back! News/staff

Jacksonville, FL – The city of Jacksonville settled a lawsuit with the family of Jamee Johnson for $200,000, November 10.

In 2019, Jamee Johnson, a FAMU student who was home for Christmas break, was killed by Officer Josué Garriga.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – On Saturday, November 11, over 1500 people gathered with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) to rally for Gaza. The gloomy weather did not stop community members from gathering at a major intersection at Brightman Boulevard and Town Center Parkway in the busy shopping hub of the city.

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By staff

Jacksonville stands in solidarity with Palestine. | Fight Back! News/staff

Jacksonville, FL – Over 500 people took the streets, October 14, to march in support of the Palestinian liberation movement against Israeli occupation. Demonstrators held Palestinian flags and chanted “Free free, Palestine.”

While the crowd was majority Arab, people from all backgrounds and ages joined the fight. The crowd was energetic and steadfast in their demands to end the occupation. During the march, cars honked in support and displayed Palestinian flags and keffiyehs.

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By Fernando Figueroa

Protesters marched around the courthouse in downtown Jacksonville. | Fight Back! News/staff

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 people rallied in support of Palestine, October 9, in front of the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.

A large portion of those who attended were members of Jacksonville’s Arab community, including many Palestinians. They were motivated to attend the demonstration after recent events in Palestine, where the movement to defeat Zionism is growing stronger. People around the world are watching as Palestinians are fighting for liberation and the end to Israeli apartheid.

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By staff

Community rallies against brutal beating carried out by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. | Fight Back! News/staff

Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Community Action Committee rallied alongside concerned community members to demand justice for 24-year-old Le’Keian Woods. Nearly 100 people gathered in front of the Police Memorial Building on Sunday, October 1.

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By staff

Jacksonville protest against racist terror attack that killed 3 Black people.

Jacksonville, FL – On Monday, August 28, over 1000 community members and organizers hit the streets of Jacksonville to fight back against white supremacy and racially motivated hate crimes in the city. This emergency call to action arose after the murder of three Black Jacksonville residents – Angela Michelle Carr, Jerrald De’Shaun Gallion, and Anolt Joseph Laguerre Jr. – at the hands of a 21-year-old white supremacist on Saturday, August 26 at a Dollar General store.

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By staff

Jacksonville protest demands justice for the Tampa 5.

Jacksonville, FL – Over a dozen community members and students organized by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) and University of North Florida SDS gathered as part of an emergency National Day of Action to demand Justice for the Tampa 5. Rallying on August 9 during rush hour traffic of busy State Street in downtown Jax, the protesters withstood record heat to raise the banner and chants, demanding “Drop the charges.”

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By staff

Protest in Jacksonville, FL against more money for the JSO.

Jacksonville, FL – On Wednesday July 20, local organizers rallied in favor of a People’s Budget, and against the proposed increase in the budget at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). They gathered outside of a townhall meeting scheduled by JSO Sheriff T.K. Waters at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

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By staff

Practice picket at UPS Hub in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville, FL – 40 members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) rallied near the Jacksonville United Parcel Service Hub on the morning of July 12. Officials from IBT Local 512 called for members to hold a “practice picket” like others held around the country. These practice pickets are part of the overall Teamster campaign to win a good national contract at UPS. Teamsters around the country are prepared to go on strike come August 1 if their demands for higher wages and better working conditions in the new contract are not met by the company.

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By staff

Protesters in Jacksonville, Florida in support of the Tampa 5.

Jacksonville, FL – As part of a coordinated effort across the country, the activist community in Jacksonville stood in solidarity with the Tampa 5. On July 11, 65 people gathered in front of the Duval County Courthouse to demand legal charges be dropped against the four members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and a union worker who were arrested in early March. Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro, Jeanie Kida and Chrisley Carpio are facing felony charges.

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By staff

Ben Frazier

Jacksonville, FL – Hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon, June 27,in downtown’s James Weldon Johnson Park across from City Hall to remember Ben Frazier, a well-known civil rights activist and elder in Jacksonville, Florida who passed away this past Saturday, June 24, after a bout with cancer.

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By staff

Jacksonville protest against Governor DeSantis' attacks on immigrant communities

Jacksonville, FL – On June 1, over 300 members of the immigrant community in Jacksonville came together as part of a statewide day of action to oppose the signing of Senate Bill 1718, discriminatory anti-immigrant legislation that targets individuals still navigating the country's complex immigration system. Organized by Latino news and radio personalities with the help of many of their supporters, the protest showcased the community's commitment to fighting against policies that attack immigrants.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – Progressive forces are cheering the election of Donna Deegan for Jacksonville mayor. She defeated Daniel Davis, the Republican and Governor Ron DeSantis-backed candidate, becoming the first woman mayor in Jacksonville history.

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By staff

Jacksonville event demands Justice for Vernell Bing Jr.

Jacksonville, FL – On May 21, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee and the family of Vernell Bing Jr., under the leadership of Vernell’s mother, Ms. Shirley, celebrated the Third annual Red Day at A. Phillip Randolph Park. With chants of “Justice for Lil Red,” over 70 people came out to enjoy food and music while hearing from families of those affected by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) police terror.

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By staff

Jacksonville protest demands justice for Tyre Nichols.

Jacksonville FL- On January 29, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee alongside 80 energized community members rallied to demand accountability and justice. Cities around the nation are organizing in response to not only the release of horrific bodycam footage capturing the slaying of Tyre Nichols, but local struggles as well.

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By staff

Rally for affordable housing and Peoples' Budget outside Jacksonville City Hall.

Jacksonville, FL – As the people of Jacksonville face rapidly increasing rent hikes and evictions, local organizers and residents rallied outside of City Hall on August 9. Before entering the city council meeting, they rallied and chanted, “Peoples Budget now!” “Make housing affordable,” and “Rent stabilization now!”

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By staff

Jacksonville protest defends abortion rights.

Jacksonville, FL – Over 1000 people gathered in emergency response at the Duval County Courthouse, downtown Jacksonville, just hours after the Supreme Court announced their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24.

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By staff

Marching for reproductive rights in Jacksonville, FL.

Jacksonville, FL – On May 4, over 1500 people gathered in front of the Jacksonville Courthouse to rally for reproductive rights. This rally was one of many rapid responses across the country fighting back against the threat to Roe v. Wade. Planned Parenthood, Women’s March, and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) worked in coalition to lead this event.

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By staff

Ben Frazier, rights activist and Black journalist in handcuffs.

Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville residents angered with Governor Ron DeSantis' handling of the pandemic and other issues showed up to make their voices heard on Tuesday morning, January 4, just before the governor was scheduled to conduct a press conference in Jacksonville.

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