Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

OrlandoFL

By Marcus Polzer

Orlando, FL – On May 4, around 100 students gathered at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to demand their university open up their investment records and begin divesting from Israel and “merchants of death,” i.e. weapons manufacturers that profit from Israel’s genocide.

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By Edmund Anglero

May Day march in Apopka, Florida.  | Fight Back! News/staff

Apopka, FL – On Wednesday, May 1, more than 150 immigrant workers, community members and youth rallied at Kit Land Nelson Park in Apopka for International Workers Day, commonly known as May Day. The central demands of the protest included immigration reform, heat protection for workers, and drivers licenses for all. The event was organized by the Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF).

Chants of “¡Aquí, allá, el pueblo vencerá!” and “¡Si se puede!” echoed through the evening streets of Apopka.

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By staff

UCF residence hall with patio tables in a courtyard.

Orlando, FL – On April 26, an informal student conduct hearing was held at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in the political repression case of Marcus Polzer, a UCF Students for a Democratic Society member.

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By staff

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society.

On April 1 , UCF Students for a Democratic Society was informed that the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity was moving forward with charging one of its members with several violations of student conduct in addition to filing legal charges for criminal mischief, in response to pro-Palestine activism.

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By staff

Vigil for Palestinian children murdered by Israel.  | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, Fl – On April 4, over 25 students gathered at the University of Central Florida to participate in a vigil honoring Hind Rajab and the many other martyred children of Palestine.

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By Edmund Anglero

Orlando event hails win over anti-LGBTQ bills.  | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, April 6, more than 20 community members gathered at The Center, a local LGBTQ community hub, for a victory party celebrating the defeat of 21 out of 22 anti-LGBTQ bills from the Florida legislature during the most recent session. The event was hosted by Orlando for Gender Equality (OGE) and HOPE CommUnity Center.

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By Edmund Anglero

Speakers at Orlando International Women's Day celebration express solidarity with Palestine. | Fight Back! News/Jacob Muldoon

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, March 9, the Orlando district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a panel commemorating International Women’s Day, with the central theme of standing with the women of Palestine. Around 20 community members and activists attended the event.

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By Cassia Laham

University of Central Florida SDS shuts down Lockheed Martin event on campus. | Fight Back! News/Cassia Laham

Orlando, FL – 25 students gathered at the University of Central Florida, March 4, to protest the presence of Lockheed Martin on their campus. UCF Students for a Democratic Society organized the rally outside of what was meant to be a “Diversity Panel” hosted by the weapons manufacturer, which has supplied weapons to Israel for the ongoing occupation and war against the people of Palestine.

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By Cassia Laham

Protesters hold a banner that reads "Lockheed Martin Bombs Hospitals"

Orlando, FL – 25 students gathered at the University of Central Florida, March 4, to protest the presence of Lockheed Martin on their campus. UCF Students for a Democratic Society organized the rally outside of what was meant to be a “Diversity Panel” hosted by the weapons manufacturer, which has supplied weapons to Israel for the ongoing occupation and war against the people of Palestine.

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By Cassia Laham

Pro-Palestine protest at MadSoul Music Festival

Orlando, FL – A group of 300 people gathered outside of Loch Haven Park, March 2, in downtown Orlando to protest Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and to demand, “No business as usual,” while the United States continues to aid, fund, and supply Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people.

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By staff

Group of activists hold sighs with slogans like "Stand for Trans Rights", "Stop HB1639", and "Not One Step Back"

Orlando, FL – Activists left a rainbow of messages against HB 1639 on the front door of Florida Representative Doug Bankson’s office in Apopka on Friday afternoon, January 26. It was part of an action called by Orlando for Gender Equality to fight back against the wave of anti-LGBTQ bills being proposed by Florida’s right-wing legislature.

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By staff

Orlando, FL – On January 8, members of Orlando for Gender Equality (OGE), gathered on the steps of Orlando City Hall to announce its “Not One Step Back,” campaign, a series of events and actions planned to kill the onslaught of anti-queer bills that have been proposed by various Florida legislators and supported by the state’s right-wing Governor Ron DeSantis.

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By staff

Orlando, Florida banner-drop in solidarity with Palestine. | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – On Friday, January 5, the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization participated in a banner drop over the Interstate 4 highway during rush hour traffic. The banner drop was part of the Week of Action demanding an end to the Israeli genocide in Gaza and an end of U.S. aid to Israel.

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By Vanessa Christaldi

Orlando, Florida rally in solidarity with the Tampa 5

Orlando, FL – On Monday, November 13, Orlando for Gender Equality organized a rally at the University of Central Florida in support of the Tampa 5. Chrisley Carpio, Laura Rodriguez and Lauren Pineiro of the Tampa 5 spoke at the demonstration as a part of their national speaking tour, in which they visited over 20 cities to bring awareness to their case.

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By staff

Orlando visit of the Tampa 5 speaking tour. | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, November 11, around 20 community members gathered at the Orlando Public Library for a discussion panel featuring the Tampa 5 as part of their national speaking tour. The event was hosted by Orlando for Gender Equality and the Florida chapter of the New Era Young Lords. The panel’s speakers consisted of Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro and Chrisley Carpio of the Tampa 5.

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By Jacob Muldoon

Protest for Palestine in Orlando, Florida. | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – On October 14, nearly 1000 people gathered at Lake Eola to demand an end to the violent occupation of Palestine and urge U.S. representatives to end U.S. aid to Israel.

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By staff

Workers picket outside Stellantis parts distribution on Boggy Creek Road in Orlando. | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – On October 7, more than a dozen striking member of the United Auto Workers were picketing the Stellantis Parts Distribution Center in Orlando. The day's picketing marked the third week the Orlando workers had been on strike, and nearly a month since the UAW strikes began this September.

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By staff

National March to Protect Trans Youth in Orlando, Florida. | Fight Back! News/staff

Orlando, FL – Hundreds of people converged on Orlando City Hall on October 7, for the National March to Protect Trans Youth. Organizers from all over the country – including states as far as California, Louisiana, Montana and Connecticut – gathered to oppose Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ attacks on LGBTQ people.

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By staff

Orlando educational event on the role of imperialism in Africa and Haiti.

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, September 16, around 45 community members gathered at Knowledge for Living in the Parramore district for an educational forum on U.S. and Western intervention in Haiti and West Africa. The event was hosted by the Revolutionary Education and Action League (REAL) and the Florida chapter of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP).

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By staff

Orlando, FL – On September 11, Orlando for Gender Equality mobilized for the Orlando city council meeting as part of their campaign to demand a guarantee of lowest possible enforcement for the anti-trans bathroom law passed by the state legislature earlier this year. The new law criminalizes transgender people for using the bathroom that aligns with their gender, with punishments including a $1000 fine or imprisonment for up to a year. This mobilization comes after a recent protest, hosted by OGE, against DeSantis’ hateful agenda of anti-trans sentiment and infringement on democratic rights.

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