Tampa, FL – Tampa protesters rallied in a big way on Wednesday, October 25, one day after Ron DeSantis announced his ban on Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters at Florida universities. Over 200 students and community members rallied at the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue, before marching over a mile to the entrance of the University of South Florida. USF is one of the universities in Florida with an SJP chapter.
Tampa, FL – Over 1500 Palestinians and their supporters protested on the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue on October 21. Tampa Bay supporters of Palestine hosted their fourth protest in three weeks since the rise of the Palestinian resistance and Israel’s escalating attacks on Gaza. Attendees waved keffiyehs, Palestine flags, and signs at cars while chanting “Free, free Palestine!”
Tampa, FL – Hundreds of members of the Palestinian community and other progressive activists came out on October 17 in response to the vicious and barbaric bombing of Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital in Gaza by the Israeli occupiers. A spontaneous call was made by members of the community to rally, and several hundred came out on a two-hour notice to chant and march in the Temple Terrace neighborhood of Tampa Bay.
Tampa, FL – In a scene echoed throughout the world October 13, hundreds of community members came out in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza. A press conference was held in front of Tampa City Hall in response to a call from the Palestinian resistance to stand in solidarity. Leaders of a diverse array of groups spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, as electricity, food, aid and internet have been cut off in preparation for a ground invasion.
Tampa, FL – On October 8, 300 pro-Palestine protesters lined the intersection of Fowler Avenue and 56th Street in the Tampa area in solidarity with the ongoing fight in Palestine against the Israeli occupation. The crowd was energetic, denouncing the terroristic Israeli government and the massive monetary support from the United States, chanting “Hey Joe Biden can’t you see? Gaza will be free!”
Tampa, FL – On the morning of Wednesday, August 9, supporters gathered outside the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa to stand in solidarity with the Tampa 5, who were attending their third pretrial hearing.
Fight Back! is circulating the following “Solidarity with the Tampa 5” resolution voted up by the union delegates to the West Central Florida Labor Council (WCFLC). President Jim Junecko of the WCFLC, AFL-CIO sent the resolution to Florida State’s Attorney Susan Lopez asking she direct Prosecutor Justin Diaz to drop the charges.Resolution in Solidarity with the Tampa 5
Tampa, FL– On July 12, a crowd of 50 people gathered at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. They were there to demand that DeSantis-appointed Florida State’s Attorney Susan Lopez and Florida State Prosecutor Justin Diaz drop the charges against the Tampa 5 – Chrisley Carpio, Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro and Jeanie Kida.
Tampa, Fl – On Friday June 30, 100 Teamsters rallied outside the Tampa UPS building for the union’s national practice picketing call to action. UPS drivers rallied first before their start time with a second rally happening for-part timers after they left the early morning or preload shift. June 30 was the deadline the International Brotherhood of Teamsters gave UPS for their best and final economic proposal.
Tampa, FL – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Parcel Service have reached agreements on multiple non-economic proposals, including more protections for transgender workers. If the Teamsters and UPS reach a tentative agreement by July 31, it will have updated language to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected identities under article 36, the non-discrimination section of the contract.
Tampa, FL – On June 24, over 130 people packed the Maureen Gauzza Library in Tampa early Saturday morning to join in the fight to defend the Tampa 5, activists charged with felonies, some facing up to ten years in prison for exercising their free speech rights.
Tampa, FL – Since national negotiations started in March, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has reached many tentative agreements in their national contract with United Parcel Service. These agreements that will benefit Teamsters include but are not limited to better cooling systems in package cars, strengthened grievance procedures, and the creation of more union jobs.
Tampa, FL – Frank Chapman, a prominent leader of the Black Liberation movement and the executive director of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression will speak at the “Emergency Conference to Defend the Tampa 5: Civil Liberties in the Era of DeSantis” that is set for June 24 in Tampa, Florida.
Tampa, FL – Early in the morning June 5, over 40 Maximus employees, Communications Workers of America (CWA) members, and other supporters rallied in front of Maximus, a federally contracted call center, in Riverview, Florida. The rally was part of a nationwide one-day strike put on by the CWA in response to hundreds of layoffs nationwide and to demand a living wage.
Tampa, FL – Some 2000 people gathered at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Columbus Drive in Tampa, Thursday, June 1, under the slogan “A Day Without Immigrants” to protest Senate bill 1718, which was promoted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
_Additional felony charges mean we must strengthen resistance _
Tampa, FL – Florida state prosecutor Justin Diaz it trying to put the Tampa 5 in prison. The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) members, arrested at a campus protest against the racist agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis, each face a trumped-up felony charge, alleging “battery on a police officer,” carrying five years of jail time. When the activists rejected a plea deal requiring them to apologize for doing the right thing, the prosecutor added on more felony charges. This means that three of the activists are facing more than ten years behind bars. In addition, the activists face ten misdemeanor charges.
Tampa, FL – On May 17, over 40 people rallied outside a courthouse in support of the Tampa 5 during their arraignment. Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society and Tampa Bay Community Action Committee hosted a press conference followed by a protest against the attacks on protesters in Florida.
