Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

JacksonvilleFl

By Fern

Protesters rally outside the courthouse.

Jacksonville, FL – Activists, some coming from as far away as California, converged on the Duval County Courthouse bright and early on Jan. 27. Hopes were high, as Marissa Alexander was due for another day in court and faced the possibility of being released from jail.

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By staff

Jacksonville police union president was a close ally of State Attorney Angela Corey

Jacksonville, FL – Despite pleading guilty to several charges in a federal racketeering investigation, Nelson Cuba, the former president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), will spend no time behind bars. On Jan. 6, Cuba pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor and two third-degree felonies for his role in an illegal $300 million gambling operation. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester sentenced Cuba to one year of house arrest and a mere four years of probation, in addition to imposing several fines.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 29, a local judge delayed the court dates for several of the Jacksonville 19. All 19 were protesting the killing of Eric Garner by New York police and were arrested for blocking a major bridge. Judge Michelle Khalil granted a request by the lawyer for several of the protesters change their arraignment to Jan. 13, 2015.

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By staff

Activists demand State Attorney Angela Corey return all belongings and 'Drop the Charges Now'

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 15, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office returned some of the phones they seized from the 19 protesters who shut down the Hart Bridge last week.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – 19 protesters arrested for shutting down the Hart Bridge in Jacksonville were released from jail on Dec. 9.

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By staff

Jacksonville Progressive Coalition organizers raise their fists

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 7, about 50 members of the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition attended the second annual People's Potluck. The event brings activists together before the holidays to look back on the year's accomplishments, enjoy a live rap show and eat good food.

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By staff

‘Free the Jax Justice Fighters’

Jacksonville, FL – Nearly 20 protesters were arrested by Jacksonville police for blocking afternoon traffic on the Hart Bridge on Dec. 8. The protesters staged the demonstration in response to the recent decision by a New York grand jury to not indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo whose choking of Eric Garner, an African American man, led to his to death.

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By staff

Protest spoke out against local state’s attorney for supporting killer cops

Jacksonville protesters stage die-in at downtown Hemming Plaza

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 5, nearly 100 protesters gathered in downtown Jacksonville to demand justice for Eric Garner, the New York African American man who was choked to death by police. The protest was called in response to the decision by a New York grand jury earlier in the week to not indict the police officer who killed Garner.

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By Fern

Jacksonville, FL – Marissa Alexander took a plea deal offered by the State Attorney to avoid an upcoming trial on Dec. 8 where she would have faced up to 60 years in prison. Alexander was charged in 2012 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after firing a warning shot to defend herself from her estranged abusive husband.

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By staff

Jacksonville protesters demand justice for Michael Brown

Jacksonville, FL – More than 30 people from the Jacksonville community gathered in Hemming Plaza downtown here, Nov. 24 to protest the Ferguson grand jury verdict and demand justice for Michael Brown.

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