Jacksonville, FL – In an historic mobilization, over 3500 people took the streets in coordination with the National Alliance Against Racist Political Repression national day of action, May 30 to protest against police crimes committed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). This was one of the largest demonstrations seen in Jacksonville in decades. The people of Jacksonville were also protesting in solidarity with the uprisings happening in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Tallahassee, Tampa, and Los Angeles for African Americans like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. The protests were led by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), The Northside Coalition and other local organizations took part.

Jacksonville, FL – A crowd of more than 200 people, practicing social distancing and mostly wearing face masks, gathered in front of the Duval County courthouse, May 8, in response to the brutal murder of Ahmaud Arbery in nearby Brunswick, Georgia. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), Northside Coalition, and the New Florida Majority put the demonstration of solidarity together; UNF Students for A Democratic Society (SDS) was represented as well. Even community members from Brunswick, where Arbery was killed, drove down to attend the demonstration.

Jacksonville, FL – Around three dozen cars joined a Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) protest on Friday evening, April 24, calling for a mass release of Duval County inmates in the overpopulated Duval County jail. Along with the JCAC, the New Florida Majority, Dignity Florida, Northside Coalition of Jacksonville along with other organizations and community supporters came out Friday evening for a caravan protest to demand that Melissa Nelson and Sheriff Mike Williams #FreeThemAll. The protesters taped signs to their vehicles that demanded the release of prisoners, to avoid the Duval County Jail becoming a death trap during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Editor's note: The following article was prepared for the print edition of Fight Back!, which is now on hold due to the pandemic.

Jacksonville, FL – Over 75 people gathered together to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 in Jacksonville. The program was held in the union hall of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

Jacksonville, FL – On February 5, the University of North Florida hosted an event called “A Conversation with Madeleine Albright” where UNF President David Szymanski joined her on stage celebrating her life as a woman in politics and discussing her new book.

Jacksonville, FL – Nearly 100 people gathered to hold a vigil demanding justice for Kwame Jones, January 17. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) joined with community members, along with the family and friends of 17-year-old Kwame Jones, at the intersection of 45th and Moncrief. It was an emotional night for many as the community mourns the loss of this child.

Jacksonville, FL – On December 30, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), community members and organizations, along with family and friends of Jamee Johnson, rallied and held a vigil to demand #JusticeForJamee. Around 60 people gathered to remember Jamee Johnson and demanded justice in front of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in downtown Jacksonville.

Jacksonville, FL – I'm not sure how we'll look back at film in the 2010s. Much of it already seems like a blur, leaving me asking questions like, “Was that the Batman movie with Ben Affleck or Christian Bale?” or “Which of the five Spider-Man and five Star Wars movies did you like the best?”

Jacksonville, FL – The University of North Florida’s (UNF) chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a banner drop on November 13, condemning recent Neo-Nazi propaganda that has been posted around campus. The hand-written banner read, “Neo-Nazis not welcome here.”