Orlando, FL – El jueves, 26 de marzo, los Estudiantes Por una Sociedad Democrática de UFC con los Socialistas Democráticos Jóvenes de América organizaron una demostración de más de 40 en la que hicieron una marcha para el Salón Millican, el edificio administrativo de la Universidad de Florida Central.

Esta acción fue la cuarta concentración para exigir un fin al acuerdo 287 (g) a que el Presidente de la universidad Alexander Cartwright se reúna con los líderes estudiantiles para convertir a UFC en campus santuario.

Después de una acción de llamadas a la oficina del presidente, Adrienne Frame, uno de los “designados de comunicación entre estudiantes del presidente,” aceptó sentarse en una reunión entre la oficina y los EESD. Luego que los ESD enviaron sus horas preferidas de reunirse, la administración de UFC siguió ignorando a los estudiantes.

Al inicio de la concentración, Hazel Hazelwood, participante de ESD de UFC les explico a las multitudes, “Estamos entre más de 60,000 de los jóvenes más ambicioso del estado. Nos dicen que podemos alcanzar todo al que nos dedicamos, y no obstante Cartwright anticipa que nos quedemos callados mientras nuestros amigos viven con miedo.”

Desde delante de la Unión Estudiantil, los estudiantes marcharon al Salon Millican, mientras cantaban consignas como, “Atrévete a luchar, atrévete a ganar,” y “Sacate Cartwright!”

Los activistas estudiantes llevaron pancartas con frases como, “Campus santuario ahora” y “Fuera del Campus ICE, acaba con 287(g).” También había señales que representaron al Presidente de UFC Alexander Cartwright como “Dónde Está Wally” con la consigna proclamando “Dónde Está Cartwright” debido a su reputación de asistir a los eventos en campus con poca frecuencia.

Una vez que la concentración llegó al Salon Millican, Adrien Daugherty, otro miembro de los ESD de UFC, fue el primer en hablar, “Esto es nuestro campus. Pagamos para asistir. La administración de la UFC debe servirnos, no suplicar a cualquier administración federal que suba al poder. Somos sus constituyentes – y es una vergüenza que aún consideren la idea de dejar que ICE venga a secuestrar a uno de nosotros. Vergüenza!”

El hablador final fue Ken Pham de SDJA, quien decidió hablar de qué significa realmente la decisión de la administración de UFC a firmar el acuerdo de 287(g), proclamada, “Neutralidad en la cara de la represión estatal no es neutralidad. Es complicidad. El Presidente Cartwright y sus administradores han tomado su decisión. Ya son colaboradores.”

Después de corear consignas en el Salon Millican exigiendo que el Presidente de UFC Cartwright salga a hablar con los estudiantes, la manifestación marchó tras el campus para la Alameda Memoria y concluyó gritando “Creo que vamos a ganar.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #MovimientoEstudiantil #EESD #DerechosdelosInmigrantes #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS

Orlando, FL – On Thursday, March 26, UCF Students for a Democratic Society alongside Young Democratic Socialists of America organized a protest of over 40 students to march on Millican Hall, the main administrative building for the University of Central Florida.

This action was UCF SDS’s fourth rally demanding an end to the 287(g) agreement and for the university President Alexander Cartwright to meet with student leaders to make UCF a sanctuary campus.

After a call-in to the president’s office, Adrienne Frame, one of the “president’s designees for student-facing outreach” agreed to hold a meeting between the president’s office and SDS. After SDS sent their preferred meeting times, UCF admin proceeded to ignore the students.

At the start of the rally, Hazel Hazelwood, a member of UCF SDS told the crowd, “We are standing among over 60,000 of the state’s most ambitious young people. We are told we can accomplish anything we set our minds to, and yet Cartwright expects us to stay silent while our friends live in fear.”

From the front of the Student Union, the students marched to Millican Hall, while chanting slogans such as “Dare to struggle, dare to win” and “Come out Cartwright.”

The student activists carried signs that read “Sanctuary campus now” and “ICE off campus, end 287(g).” There were also signs that depicted UCF President Alexander Cartwright as “Where’s Waldo” with the slogan saying “Where’s Cartwright” due to Alexander Cartwright’s reputation for rarely attending events on campus.

Once the rally reached Millican Hall, Adrien Daugherty, another member of UCF SDS, was first to speak, “This is our campus. We pay to come here. The UCF admin is meant to serve us, not appeal to whatever administration is in power. We are their constituents – it is shameful that they would even entertain the idea of letting ICE come in here and kidnap one of our own. Shame!”

The final speaker was Ken Pham from UCF YDSA, who chose to speak on what UCF admin’s choice to sign onto the 287(g) agreement really means, stating, “Neutrality in the face of state repression is not neutrality. It is complicity. President Cartwright and his administration have made their decision. They are now collaborators.”

After chanting at Millican Hall demanding UCF President Cartwright come out to talk with the students, the rally marched across campus to Memory Mall and concluded by chanting “I believe that we will win.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #StudentMovement #SDS #ImmigrantRights

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, March 7, community members from across the Orlando area gathered at The Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar for an International Women's Day Trivia Night and Fundraiser hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Trivia questions centered around socialist and revolutionary women, as well as women's accomplishments throughout history.

“We stand for undocumented women against ICE terror just as we stand for women across the globe against U.S. imperialism,” said FRSO member and trivia host Cassia Laham. “Especially now as the Trump regime insists on targeting immigrant communities in the U.S. and raining bombs down on the women and girls of Iran. We resist the monopoly capitalist class oppressing women here and abroad.”

The event raised funds for the Minnesota Immigrants Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), which has been on the front lines of the resistance movement against ICE terror in Minnesota.

#OrlandoFL #FL #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay #ImmigrantRights

Orlando, FL – On Saturday Jan 31, over 1000 community members from across Orlando lined the sidewalks for six blocks on East Colonial near the Fashion Square Mall to demand ICE out of Orlando!

The protest was called for by several Central Florida organizations, including 50501, Orlando for Peace, Orlando Against Police Crimes, and several others.

A nonstop chorus of cars honked loudly as the things of energetic protesters waved signs and chanted, “ICE Out Now!” Many passengers even opened their windows to raise their fists or hold homemade signs of their own out of their sunroofs. The support from the greater community was loud and clear.

Many who attended the event expressed concerns not only with the ongoing arrests and detainments by ICE in Orlando, but also the potential creation of a new ICE detention center in Central Florida.

“We stand in solidarity with those in Minneapolis fighting the good fight, and with all of our immigrant neighbors across the country,” said Cassia Laham, an organizer with Orlando Against Police Crimes. “We won't let ICE kidnap and deport our neighbors or throw them in concentration camps. We don't want ICE in Orlando. We don't want ICE anywhere!”

In true Orlando fashion, those who attended the protest had many creative signs featuring Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel motifs, including one with a hand-drawn Spiderman punching an ICE agent that read, “Stay out of my neighborhood!” Another beautifully hand-painted banner read, “ICE melts in the Florida sun.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #OAPC #ICE

Orlando, FL – On January 14, University of Central Florida (UCF) Students for a Democratic Society rallied more than 100 students to march on Millican Hall, the campus’s primary administrative building, to demand UCF President Alexander Cartwright meet with student leaders about making UCF a sanctuary campus.

Students targeted President Cartwright with chants of “Cartwright, Cartwright you can’t hide. You’re supporting ICE’s crimes” and “Come out Cartwright.” Alongside UCF SDS were UCF Young Democratic Socialists of America, UCF Sunrise, and United Faculty of Florida.

Last semester, UCF SDS marched on Millican Hall to deliver a petition and letters from students and faculty demanding UCF become a sanctuary campus, ending the 287(g) agreement which allows UCF PD to act on behalf of ICE and receive training and funding from ICE. Since then, the administration has been completely quiet, and with the recent ICE murder in Minneapolis, that silence has become deafening.

Mason Rhody of UCF Sunrise stated, “Tens of thousands [have been detained or deported] from Florida alone. University administration refuses to say how many of those people came from UCF. The lack of information and transparency only fuels further fears.”

Pablo Valenzuela of UCF YDSA spoke in solidarity with the protesters in Minneapolis stating, “We cannot tell a people to remain peaceful while they are gunned down in the streets and their children are left orphaned.”

The final speaker was Abigail Savarese of UCF SDS, who told the crowd, “We have presented them with an opportunity for a resolution. The longer they procrastinate, the more they fail to abide by their own stated values. The students and faculty of UCF know how immoral the actions of ICE are, which is why the university must make the right decision and agree to a meeting with Cartwright. As long as there will be people in the UCF community, there will be those who won’t stand for UCF’s complacency: complacency that we know puts students in harm's way. We will continue to show up for our community, and protest ICE.”

At the end of the speeches, the students marched back to the front of the student union with little resistance. Many students showed their support during the march by joining in chants, coming out of the library, and walking away from UCF’s Market Day to see that the students are rising up, and are demanding ICE get off of their campus.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, January 17, dozens of organizations joined a parade in downtown Orlando to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While the parade included local police, one of the organizations that marched in the parade wanted to send a clear message to the police, the city and county governments to hold police accountable, jail killer cops, and reinstitute a civilian police review board.

Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) is a local, grassroots organization in central Florida that fights for justice for victims of police crimes and political repression. Activists in the group have worked to support the families of those killed by police and demand State Attorney Monique Worrell press charges against cops who kill community members.

“The police were not friends of Martin Luther King, of Black people on general, or of the Civil Rights movement! Why not babe the parade led by the Klan?” said OAPC organizer David Porter. “The police have not changed. And it's an insult to have them leading this parade!”

For the parade, members of OAPC marched with large posters that served as memorials for those recently killed by Orange County Sheriff's Office and OPD. The names and faces on posters and moving billboard were of Luis Lopez, Tyrone Bartley, Kaleb Williams, Juan Silva, Ronald Greene, Salaythis Melvin, Clarence Lake and Karvas Gamble, Jr., all of whom were killed by police.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #OAPC #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MLKDay

Orlando, FL — More than 20 protesters rallied at the George C. Young Federal Courthouse on January 9 to condemn the violent U.S. military actions against Venezuela that caused 100 civilian casualties, as well as the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

The demonstration was organized by the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and co-sponsored by various other organizations such as Orlando For Peace, Orlando 50501, and UCF Students for a Democratic Society. A series of chants rang out loud down the busy downtown streets including “We demand justice, you say how? Hands off Venezuela now!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for wars and occupation!”

More people are tired of forever wars, with taxpayer money sponsoring violence and causing chaos instead of going toward services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and long-term economic growth and stability

Protesters marched down toward the opposite end of the federal building complex, where organizers spoke out in more detail condemning the flagrant act of U.S. aggression.

Vanessa Christaldi from UCF Students for a Democratic Society told the crowd, “The war criminals in Washington want us to believe this is about justice, but it's only about one thing: profit! After the U.S. bombed Caracas, kidnapping President Nicolás Maduro and killing civilians, several oil stocks surged, and the corporate media doubled down on their lies!”

“It is clear as day that none of this is about fighting drug trafficking or protecting so-called human rights. The U.S. wants to plunder Venezuela’s oil and natural resources!” shouted Edmund Anglero, an organizer with FRSO Orlando.

Cassia Laham, another FRSO Orlando organizer, spoke about the motivations behind the Trump administration's attack stating, “The United States views the Bolivarian Revolution and the government of Nicolas Maduro as a threat to its economic and military goals for the region. In a tale as old as time, the U.S. is attempting to topple a government that has nationalized its resources, rejected U.S. hegemony.”

While the Trump regime continues to escalate its aggression overseas, it is also ramping up repression at home. Laham then led a chant for Renee Good, who was murdered by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis.

The organizations present committed to continuing to organize in solidarity with Venezuela and against further U.S. attacks. The rally ended off with a powerful chang of “Hands off Venezuela!”

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #FRSO

Orlando, FL – On October 22, over 70 students and members of faculty gathered at Memory Mall at the University of Central Florida to demand no ICE on the UCF campus and for the university to become a sanctuary campus.

The rally and march were organized by UCF Students for a Democratic Society, United Faculty of Florida, Young Democratic-Socialists of America, and Students for Education in Prison.

The rally was introduced by Vanessa Christaldi, the vice president of UCF Students for a Democratic Society, who stated, “Today we will be going down to Millican Hall to deliver our demands together. When they look down on us from their windows, they will look down and see the people, the people who are united on the right side of history.”

The students and faculty then marched around the Student Union to Millican Hall, the primary administrative building of UCF. From the start of the rally and throughout the march, many UCF Police Department officers were surrounding the protesters under the guise of “safety” and “keeping counter-protesters at bay,” even though there were only about ten counter-protesters.

The crowd was greeted with several UCF PD officers guarding the entrance to Millican Hall, preventing entry and forcing the demands of students and faculty to be delivered to a lone member of administration standing outside. While the demands were delivered the students chanted “Admin admin you can’t hide, you’re supporting ICE’s crimes” and “come out Cartwright,” referring to UCF President Alexander Cartwright.

Once the demands were delivered, representatives from the endorsing organizations got up to speak in front of Millican Hall, with the UCF PD officers still guarding the entrance.

The first to speak was Graden Houck, a member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society. Houck touched on the frustrations felt by many in the UCF community upon hearing the news that UCF PD has signed on to the 287 (g) agreement and partnered with ICE. Houck stated, “This decision goes beyond just our undocumented peers because leadership that is willing to sell out any of us will eventually sell out all of us. This decision sends a clear message to the entire student body that if the Trump administration declares you an enemy, UCF will do nothing to protect you.”

Mary Samuels, president of UCF Students for Education in Prison stated, “ICE and the current administration push a rhetoric of immigrant criminality to excuse their atrocities and legitimize their actions as routine law enforcement by partnering with public institutions like UCF and local law enforcement agencies like UCF PD, but I am here to remind you that this is a cover-up.”

Eli Lambert of UCF YDSA spoke on the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows ICE to racially profile, “ICE uses skin color and the language people are speaking as probable cause to wrongfully detain and hold them indefinitely in cruel and unusual conditions. ICE is a racist institution that is nothing more than an arm of white supremacy.”

The demands of the students were not the only letter delivered. The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) also delivered a letter of collective demands from the Higher Education Labor United.

The president of UFF at UCF, Talat Rahman, read from this letter which contained demands of making UCF a sanctuary campus and safe place for all students and faculty. Some of these demands include “providing financial support for legal counsel and representation for individuals impacted by past and future disruptions to their legal immigration status,” “cease surveilling workers and students and do not provide surveillance records to federal agencies,” and “uphold students’ and employees’ speech and academic freedom.” to list a few.

Once speeches were concluded and all of the demands were delivered, the students began chanting again, declaring “Immigrants are welcome here” and demanding “ICE off campus” before marching back to Memory Mall to close out the rally.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS

Orlando, FL – Members of Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) gathered outside the Orlando headquarters of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), October 21, to denounce the results of two investigations that found no officers accountable for the murder of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley.

David Porter, emcee of the event, began by explaining the stories of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley. Both men were murdered in their home by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Lopez was shot through his kitchen window while fighting off a home invader. Bartley was living in a multi-tenant house when an OCSO SWAT team executed a warrant on a different tenant. 30 seconds passed from the moment they broke in the front door to Bartley being shot six times in the chest.

Cassia Laham, an organizer with OAPC, began by speaking about Luis Lopez’s case saying, “And, yet, that officer, that man, who shot the gun that fired the bullets that killed Luis in his kitchen was never charged with any crime. The FDLE didn't even find any wrongdoing at all. He's back on the job after a few months paid vacation.” Laham talked about Tyrone Bartley saying, “He was the victim of a botched SWAT raid, but mainly of Orange County Sheriff's Office policy of ‘shoot now, ask questions later.’ Especially when it comes to Black and brown people in our community.”

Next, Cassia read a statement from the neighbor of Luis Lopez, who called the police during the altercation on February 8, “Luis was a hardworking man who came to the U.S. with many dreams. He was ready to back to his family who he was eager to see, he also wanted to get married and dreamed of having a family. But all of that was taken from him. The officers went back on duty. And they will continue to live their lives like nothing happened. They get to go home and be with their loved ones. I can’t believe they can sleep at night knowing they killed an innocent person.”

Finally, lead organizer with Orlando Against Police Crimes, Edmund Anglero, read a statement from Symphony Bartley, the daughter of Tyrone Bartley: “Last Monday was my daddy’s birthday. He was going to be 33 years old. I remember last year we went to Olive Garden and then we went to Lake Eola. This year I didn’t get to do that with him because somebody killed my daddy. And I don’t know why somebody would kill my daddy because my daddy was a really good person and I miss him. And I don’t understand why anybody’s not doing anything because what the person did is not right. And my daddy did not deserve to die. And I just wish that I was able to spend his birthday with him this year. But I didn’t get to because of the person who killed my dad.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes

Orlando, FL – 50 Palestine solidarity activists rallied October 7, to commemorate two years of both genocide and resistance. Progressive groups came together in front of Orlando’s federal courthouse on Tuesday evening to condemn the U.S. government’s ongoing support for Israeli crimes.

Attendees raised Palestinian flags high and marched around the federal building. Chants of “Viva viva Palestina!” and “Up up with liberation, down down with occupation!” drowned out the complaints of a lone pro-Israel disruptor.

In a powerful speech, Marcus Polzer, an organizer with Students for Democratic Society stated, “When we speak about October 7th, we must speak with historical clarity. Resistance to oppression is not born in a vacuum. It is the inevitable consequence of decades of suffocation, humiliation and torture. It is the sound of a people who have been pushed against the sea, finally pushing back.”

The protest was called by Freedom Road Socialist Organization – Orlando and organized in collaboration with Orlando 50501, Space Coast DSA, the Florida Palestine Network, UCF Students for a Democratic Society, YDSA, Orlando for Peace, and Veterans Against the War Machine.

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Orlando, FL – On Friday, September 13, 20 activists held an emergency rally outside the Federal Courthouse in downtown Orlando to denounce the recent U.S. military attacks, and any future aggression, against Venezuela.

The rally was organized by FRSO Orlando and co-sponsored by Orlando DSA, University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society, Orlando for Peace, and several other organizations.

The event was in response to Donald Trump’s dangerous military escalations against Venezuela, including the deployment of U.S. warships into the Caribbean and a recent military strike against a Venezuelan boat that killed all eleven Venezuelan civilians on board. Trump’s government has also put a $50 million reward for the capture of the democratically-elected president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro.

“The people of Venezuela are not our enemies, and the nation of Venezuela is not our enemy,” said Grisha Glozman, an organizer with UCF SDS. “Our real enemy is the multi-billion and trillion dollar corporations funding and supporting this administration!”

The U.S. military escalation in the region is part of a greater strategy of regime change in Venezuela, which the United States has attempted to conduct for over ten years now. The United States views the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela as a threat to its economic and military goals for the region. In a tale as old as time, the United States is attempting to topple a government that has nationalized its resources and rejected U.S. hegemony in the region.

Protesters chanted “Hands off Venezuela,” and held signs that read, “No blood for oil,” and “We stand with the Bolivarian Revolution!” Passing cars honked in support, some with fists in the air, as speakers addressed the crowd.

“You see, the same people that are telling us that we can’t have decent jobs, housing, healthcare and clean water here in the U.S are the same ones pushing for this war of domination and exploitation against Venezuela,” protester Conor Munro explained to the crowd. “So, in the final analysis, the people of Venezuela and us, we have a common enemy: U.S. imperialism. And the best way to oppose imperialism is through international solidarity. They say Orlando is an international city, well it’s time for some international solidarity!”

The event ended with activists agreeing to rally again should the United States commit any more acts of military aggression against Venezuela.

#OrlandoFL #FL #International #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement #Feature

Orlando, FL – On Thursday, September 4, around 60 students at the University of Central Florida rallied and marched to demand the reversal of their university’s 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as the establishment of a sanctuary campus.

The rally was led by UCF Students For A Democratic Society (SDS), who were joined by the UCF Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), and UCF Students For Education in Prison (SFEP), and others.

Speakers included the vice president of SDS, Vanessa Christaldi, who told the crowd, “Students should not have to feel afraid to go to school.” Erik Feyer emphasized the need for unity among students throughout the country in order to stand up to the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant and international students.

The students then marched through the campus, with chants of “OPD, KKK, ICE they’re all the same!” and “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” Nearby, onlooking students and faculty shouted “Fuck ICE” and cheering the student protesters on.

The march ended at the campus’s main lawn, Memory Mall. Speakers finished up with calls to stand in solidarity with immigrant students, as well as urges for unorganized students to join one of the organizations that took part in the rally.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS #YDSA #SFEP

Orlando, FL – On August 12, the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization held a presentation and discussion on the organization’s political program. The topics covered included a brief introduction of FRSO, its analysis of class in the United States, the organization’s strategy for revolution, and how it organizes to build the people’s struggles to fight for revolutionary change.

Cassia Laham, who has been organizing with Freedom Road for 13 years, introduced the event. “We in Freedom Road aren’t about just reading theory or getting lost in debate on this or that issue; we’re about putting the science of revolution into practice in order to end this rotten system of exploitation and oppression,” said Laham.

Jacob Muldoon, the district organizer for FRSO Orlando, led the main presentation. Throughout the presentation, he paused and asked the audience for input on questions such as “What is the definition of class?” and “What are some different strategies to make change?”

Muldoon emphasized the FRSO’s program is not a set of policies for how the country should be governed after the revolution, nor was it written by a select group of academics and intellectuals. Rather, the contents of the political program are a result of FRSO’s collective efforts of applying Marxism-Leninism to the day-to-day struggles its members are building and leading across the country.

“Our basic strategy for revolution is building a united front against monopoly capitalism, under the leadership of the working class and its political party, with a strategic alliance between the multinational working class and oppressed nationalities at the core of this united front,” stated Muldoon.

The event was held at the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar, a venue which has become a hub for the local leftist and artist community. FRSO Orlando’s next event will be a report-back from the People’s Republic of China, hosted by central committee member Sydney Loving on September 2. Time and location to be determined. Visit @frso_orlando on Instagram for more information.

#OrlandoFL #FL #RevolutionaryTheory #FRSO

Orlando, FL – El 2 de agosto, alrededor de 30 miembros de la comunidad realizaron una manifestación de emergencia en las cámaras de la Comisión del Condado Orange para exigir que el condado vote en contra de ratificar una actualización al acuerdo de su contrato con el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE. UU., o ICE (por sus siglas en inglés). La actualización del acuerdo representa otro ataque contra los inmigrantes en el condado.

La movilización fue convocada por el grupo Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales (Orlando Against Police Crimes, en inglés), después de que el alcalde del Condado Orange, Jerry Demings, cediera ante las amenazas del gobernador Ron DeSantis y el fiscal general de Florida, James Uthmeier.

Los manifestantes se reunieron cerca de la transitada calle del centro y corearon consignas como: “¡No a los campos, no al odio, no al ICE en nuestro estado!”, mientras sostenían pancartas en apoyo a los derechos de los inmigrantes antes de dirigirse frente al edificio de la comisión para escuchar discursos.

Varias organizaciones se movilizaron junto a Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales, incluyendo Orlando 50501, Orlando for Peace y Orlando 50501 Latinos. La representante estatal Anna Eskamani dio un discurso en solidaridad.

“No vamos a permitir que Ron DeSantis y sus compinches intimiden a nuestra ciudad para que cumpla las órdenes de Donald Trump. No vamos a permitir que nuestros recursos se usen para enviar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas al campo de concentración en los Everglades. Y seguiremos luchando hasta que estos centros clandestinos inhumanos sean cerrados para siempre”, declaró Cassia Laham, una organizadora de Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales y la maestra de ceremonias del evento.

Hace apenas unas semanas, la comisión del Condado Orange votó unánimemente en contra de firmar un anexo al contrato 287(g) con ICE. Este anexo haría a los oficiales correccionales del condado responsables del transporte de personas detenidas por las autoridades migratorias a instalaciones como el llamado campo de concentración “Alcatraz de los Caimanes” en los Everglades, conocido por sus condiciones inhumanas y violaciones a los derechos humanos. La comisión también decidió renegociar su Acuerdo de Servicios Intergubernamentales o IGSA (por sus siglas en inglés) con el Servicio de Alguaciles de EE. UU., el cual permitía que la cárcel del condado albergara a detenidos de otras localidades antes de su traslado a otra instalación. Un grupo local llamado Immigrants Are Welcome Here Coalition (la Coalición “Inmigrantes Son Bienvenidos Aquí”) tuvo un papel clave en estas victorias para la comunidad inmigrante.

En respuesta, DeSantis y Uthmeier lanzaron una serie de ataques contra el alcalde Demings y el resto de la comisión. En una carta dirigida a la comisión, Uthmeier declaró, “La ley de Florida prohíbe las políticas santuario y exige que las localidades hagan ‘los mejores esfuerzos’ para ayudar con la aplicación de la ley migratoria.” Luego DeSantis amenazó con destituir a Demings y a otros comisionados si no firmaban el anexo para permitir el transporte de personas detenidas por las autoridades migratorias.

Poco después de declarar que él no se dejaría intimidar por DeSantis y sus compinches, el alcalde Demings firmó el anexo el viernes 1 de agosto y lo sometió a votación para su ratificación en la reunión de la comisión del condado del martes 5 de agosto.

En la reunión del martes, el anexo reaccionario fue ratificado con una votación de 5 a 2. Las comisionadas Kelly Semrad y Nicole Wilson fueron las únicas que votaron en contra. A pesar de este revés, el movimiento local por los derechos de los inmigrantes seguirá luchando contra cualquier ataque a la comunidad inmigrante.

Frustrado por el retroceso del alcalde, Jacob Muldoon, miembro del sindicato Teamsters en UPS y de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad, dijo “alcalde Demings, qué vergüenza que haya traicionado a nuestro condado. Usted hizo un compromiso y puso su carrera política por encima de los medios de vida de los inmigrantes en el Condado Orange”.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights

Orlando, FL – On August 2, around 30 community members held an emergency rally at the Orange County Commission chambers to demand the county vote against ratifying an updated agreement to its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. The updated agreement represents another attack on immigrants in the county.

The mobilization was called for by Orlando Against Police Crimes, after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings caved in to threats from Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Protesters gathered near the busy downtown street and chanted “No camps, no hate, no ICE in our state!” while holding signs in support of immigrant rights before moving in front of the commission building for speeches.

Several organizations mobilized alongside Orlando Against Police Crimes, including Orlando 50501, Orlando for Peace, and Orlando 50501 Latinos. State Representative Anna Eskamani delivered a speech in solidarity.

“We aren't going to let Ron DeSantis and his cronies bully our town into doing Donald Trump's bidding. We aren't going to allow our resources to be used to ship our brothers and sisters to the concentration camp in the Everglades. And we'll keep fighting until all of these inhumane black sites are shut down for good,” said Cassia Laham, an organizer with Orlando Against Police Crimes and the event’s emcee.

Just a few weeks before, the Orange County commission voted unanimously to not sign an addendum to the county’s 287(g) contract with ICE. This addendum would have county correctional officers responsible for transportation of immigration detainees to facilities such as the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” concentration camp in the Everglades, which is known for its inhumane conditions and human rights abuses. The commission also decided on renegotiating its Intergovernmental Service Agreement, or IGSA contract with the U.S. Marshals Service which allowed the county jail to house detainees from other localities before their transfer to another facility. A local group called the Immigrants Are Welcome Here Coalition played a leading role in those victories for the immigrant community.

In response, DeSantis and Uthmeier launched a slew of attacks against Mayor Demings and the rest of the commission. In a letter to the county commission, Uthmeier stated, “Florida law forbids sanctuary policies and requires locals to use ‘best efforts’ to assist with immigration enforcement.” DeSantis then threatened to remove Demings and other commissioners if they did not sign the addendum to allow transportation of immigration detainees.

Shortly after stating that he would not be bullied into compliance by DeSantis and his cronies, Mayor Demings signed the addendum on Friday, August 1 and set for it to be voted on and ratified at Tuesday, August 5, county commission meeting.

At the meeting on Tuesday, the reactionary addendum was ratified with a 5 to 2 vote. Commissioners Kelly Semrad and Nicole WIlson were the only two that voted against it. Despite this setback, the local movement for immigrant rights will continue to fight back against any and all attacks on the immigrant community.

Frustrated with the mayor’s backtracking, Jacob Muldoon, a UPS Teamster and member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said “Mayor Demings, shame on you for betraying our county. You made a commitment and put your own political career over the livelihoods of immigrants in Orange County.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #Feature

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, August 2, over 200 people gathered outside the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel to protest the Florida Freedom Forum, where the most ultra-conservative Republicans from Florida gathered to reiterate their right-wing agenda.

Protesters carried signs and banners supporting immigrants, denouncing ICE kidnappings in Orlando, and calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Keynote speakers at the Florida Republican's Freedom Forum inside the hotel were perhaps some of the most proudly anti-Palestine, anti-immigrant, anti-free speech, anti-union politicians in the country. They included Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier, Representative Randy Fine, and Governor Ron DeSantis.

For three hours straight, protesters remained outside the venue holding signs that read, “ICE out of Orlando,” and “No human being is illegal.” Chants could be heard above the roar of traffic on the busy street, including, “Hey hey, ho-ho, Ron DeSantis has got to go!” and “Randy Fine you can't hide, you're supporting genocide!” Cars honked and passengers waved fists in the air in solidarity.

Meanwhile, inside the Freedom Forum itself, individual activists caused constant disruptions during the governor, attorney general and representatives' speeches. One by one, throughout the day, they shouted down and disrupted the politicians who were congratulating themselves on their inhumane policies. The activists shouted things like, “You have blood on your hands!” and “You don't support due process or the Constitution!” as they got dragged out of the ballroom. Some were assaulted by other attendees.

From inside the event and from the sidewalks outside, protesters showed that they will not sit idly by as the conservative right seeks to trample on human rights, civil liberties and basic democratic principles.

Local organizations that attended and help organize the protest included 50501 Orlando Latinos, Orlando Against Police Crimes, Orlando for Peace, Greater Orlando NOW, among several others.

Those groups all pledged to show up again in two days’ time to the Orange County Commission meetings, when the commission will decide on whether or not to comply with Governor DeSantis' order to utilize local police to transport kidnapped immigrants to the concentration camp in the Everglades.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights

Orlando, FL – On July 26, members of the Orlando community gathered for an educational panel covering the history of policing and the fight for community control. The event was hosted by Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) at The Drunken Monkey coffee bar, located in the Mills 50 district of Orlando.

The panel began with Cassia Laham, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), highlighting the history of policing in the United States. By giving an overview of the historical role of police in the U.S., she showed how the stated goal of policing is different from the reality that police exist to protect the interests of those who rule the country.

“During the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, police and the National Guard worked in tandem to arrest over 1000 people to break up the strike and over 100 workers were killed,” said Laham. “What I’m hoping you’re seeing here is a pattern of repression against Black men and women in the South. We saw the institution of slavery be codified at the same time as we’re seeing police officers in our northern cities being used to repress workers who are rebelling against their bad working conditions.”

Edmund Anglero, a member of OAPC, stated, “Local communities, particularly historically oppressed communities, should have the power and full control over who polices them and how they are policed. This includes policies and procedures, hire and fire capabilities, even budget and finances.”

The panel concluded with David Porter of OAPC, an Orlando local with 30 years of experience as a journalist, detailing the history of policing in central Florida. He began by highlighting the violent and racist legacy of former central Florida sheriffs, from outed members of the Klan like Sheriff David Starr to the cases of prisoner abuse by Sheriff Willis McCall.

Porter stated, “Willis McCall was many things, including being a striker breaker, a union buster. Because at that time they wanted everyone they could get picking citrus. Labor organizers came into the area to help the workers get organized, and they were routinely beaten up, chased out of town, and jailed on phony charges.”

The event ended with a section where organizers answered questions from the audience. The question of how to get involved and win community control led to talk about the goal of reinstating Orlando’s civilian review board (CRB). A civilian review board is a community-based organization that reviews complaints of police misconduct and recommends disciplinary action. The city of Orlando had a CRB as recently as 2024. Reinstatement would be a major steppingstone on the path to community control of the police.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem

Orlando, FL – On July 16, community members and organizers with Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) attended a spaghetti dinner hosted by a local news station to demand answers from Orange County Sheriff John Mina.

The mobilization, organized by OAPC, sought answers and accountability from Sheriff Mina regarding the victims of police crimes. The extrajudicial murders of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley committed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) were emphasized.

During the Q&A portion of the dinner, Edmund Anglero of OAPC asked the sheriff, “When are you going to take meaningful steps towards holding the deputies who killed Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley accountable and will you commit to meeting with the families of the victims to answer their questions and hear their needs?”

OAPC organizers say they have been trying to contact Sheriff Mina for a few months now to no avail. Edmund Anglero further highlighted how the sheriff has been avoiding them, saying, “We are here today because we've exhausted all other channels to have our voices heard.”

Outside the community center, other community members were waiting with signs, banners and candles.

“We are gathered here today to mourn the lives of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley,” said OAPC member Jacob Muldoon. “We have gone through every possible medium. We have attended the Civilian Advisory Committee, no answers. We have attended the county commission, no answers. We have tried to get a meeting with Sheriff Mina, no answers. The only answers we have received is, and I quote, 'it is not in the best interest of all parties involved to discuss this matter at this time.'”

After the dinner, the sheriff hurriedly left while chants of “How many more must die? Sheriff Mina, tell us why!” rang out in the background.

There have been seven deaths so far this year directly related to Orange County Sheriff's Office-involved shootings and no answers or accountability from the sheriff. With the OCSO's decision to release only edited bodycam footage regarding the case of Tyrone Bartley, many in the community are doubting the official narrative.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #OAPC

Orlando, FL – On Sunday, June 22, 15 community members rallied behind a local student activist, Chris Gibson. Gibson had been charged by the Orlando Police Department with “battery on a police officer,” a felony they allege occurred when he participated in a pro-Palestine rally on October 7, 2024.

Among the outcry of support for Gibson, nearly a dozen bystanders approached the attendees, as the crowd chanted, “Drop the charges on Chris now.” Several noted that they were curious specifically because the Orlando City police officers who were nearby claimed to them that Chris had “pummeled an elderly security guard.”

Several speakers showed their vocal support for Gibson, from his own UCF Students for a Democratic Society (UCF-SDS), Orlando Against Police Crimes, UCF Young Democratic Socialists of America, and Orlando 50501.

The first to speak was Marcus Polzer, a leading organizer with UCF-SDS. He recounted why Gibson had protested in the first place, and the political motives behind his arrest, stating he was arrested, “for daring to protest the city of Orlando’s continued support of the Israeli occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people.” A sentiment expressed by Polzer and seemingly shared by many of the attendees of the rally, was that “he is an example of the courage we must all emulate.”

Another speaker at the rally was Amanda Green, with Orlando Against Police Crimes, who turned around to face the nearby officers, to yell “cowards.”

The final speaker was Chris Gibson himself, who began by thanking his community for the months of continued and vocal support and struggle on his behalf.

While all previous speakers had taken very serious and sometimes defiant tones, Gibson’s speech was light-hearted with an aura of positivity and hopefulness. Even through this seemingly cheery demeanor, he emphasized how “Police don’t like it when you refuse to back down from them,” to which the crowd responded “Shame!”

By the end of the event, many stayed around to talk with Chris, showing support for his case and offering continued support in the time to come. The rally ended with chants, notably repetitions of “student power” and “community power.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, June 14, at least 6000 rallied outside of Orlando City Hall as part of the No Kings national day of action; several crowds spilled out into the surrounding streets. They rallied behind the slogan “We the people are pissed!” with a clear emphasis from protesters being placed on the ongoing campaign of raids being conducted by ICE, the continued repression and disenfranchisement of the LGBTQ community and women, as well as acting in direct opposition to the Trump administration itself.

Several groups made speeches, with calls to action to continue the fight and to get organized, including Orlando 50501, Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC), and Equality Florida.

Edmund Anglero, an organizer with OAPC, spoke on cases of police killings in Orlando, as well as cases of political repression by Orlando police. He also denounced President Donald Trump’s executive order 14288, which seeks to “unleash the police.”

Anglero also stated, “This kind of police and ICE terror is the same kind of terror used by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians as well as the repression unleashed against activists in the Philippines by the U.S.-backed Marcos dictatorship.” He closed his speech by stating, “by uniting the many, we can and will defeat the few.”

Corey Hill, with Orlando 50501, spoke, emphasizing the common struggle shared between those fighting in Orlando and those fighting against U.S. imperialism elsewhere.

The connection to other struggles was not isolated to the speeches of organizers, however. Throughout the crowds, people held Mexican, Palestinian, Venezuelan and Cuban flags, alongside signs reading “Free Palestine.” Many protesters wore Keffiyehs, and discussion of the Trump administration’s emboldening of the state of Israel were hard to miss.

While militarized police, FBI agents, and National Guard members brutalize Chicano organizers in Los Angeles, and labor organizers in Milwaukee and Austin, solidarity with the national wave of protests was clear and potent in Orlando.

Protesters called for ICE to be “crushed,” and speakers and protesters alike chanted together in solidarity with the ongoing struggles across the country. There was an understanding in the air that this protest and this struggle were part of a larger wave of popular outcry across the country.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #PeoplesStruggles #ICE #Trump #OAPC