News and Views from the People's Struggle
Tampa, FL – On March 28, over 2000 people gathered for the Tampa No Kings protest. The protest was organized by the Tampa Coalition Against the Trump Agenda. It was one of more than 3000 rallies comprising more than eight million people who came out throughout the United States in opposition to Trump's racist reactionary agenda.
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.
Jacksonville, FL – Around 6000 people marched at the No Kings rally, joining millions protesting across the country.
Protesters started at Friendship Fountain, took the streets and marched across the Main Street Bridge before stopping at the Duval Courthouse for a rally. They chanted, “We want justice you say how? Hands off Iran now,” “When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” Other chants included ones denouncing Trump along with calling for a free Palestine and Black lives matter.
Tallahassee, FL – On March 28, over 5000 people gathered at the Florida Capitol for the third No Kings protest to stand against Trump. Under the Tallahassee Coalition Against Trump banner, local organizations led the protest against Trump’s racist and reactionary agenda before taking to the streets and marching around the capitol. In addition to speaking out against Trump, those in attendance demanded an end to attacks on immigrants, police violence and the war on Iran.
Tampa. FL – On Thursday, March 26, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) rallied in solidarity on the same day of the second New York City court hearing of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
Jacksonville, FL— On Tuesday, March 24, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) mobilized to Mayor Donna Deegan’s town hall meeting at Springfield Middle School. Deegan spoke about the city budget and offered the audience an overview of her priorities.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
Lakeland, FL – On March 19, Kieanna Garrett was found guilty on the bogus charge of resisting arrest without violence and was immediately taken into custody. This charge is tied to the day that Kienna was stopped by a group of plain-clothed cops who threw themselves in front of her vehicle, guns drawn, yelling to, “get out of the fucking car.” This is the same day that Kieanna was brutalized by Dillon Cornn, a Lakeland Police Department Officer that has a recorded history of stalking, harassing, and terrorizing Lakeland community members and who is currently under a gag order for perjury in court.
Jacksonville, FL – On Wednesday March 12, Jacksonville Students for a Democratic Society held a teach-in on the history of SDS and the Black Liberation Movement.
Jacksonville, FL – On Sunday, March 15, in response to the U.S. and Israel aggression on Iran and Lebanon, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) took to the streets, and a coalition of organizations joined them to protest the unjust war.
This mobilization of about 80 people to downtown Jacksonville came hot off the heels of the rally JPSN organized on February 28, the day of the first strike on Iran.
Tallahassee, FL – The Tallahassee Coalition Against Trump announced that they will be holding the next No Kings! rally on Saturday, March 28, at the Florida Historic Capitol.
Students, community organizers and supporting political organizations have made the decision to be a part of this coalition. They all have a common goal: to fight back against Trump and his war-mongering, and criminal administration.
The Trump administration has illegally delayed and redacted the Epstein files, attempted to end birthright citizenship, pardoned people who participated on January 6,cracked down on DEI, invaded other counties to serve U.S. billionaires, and kidnapped immigrants.
The attacks from the Trump administration will not stop unless we unite a broad movement across the country that forces them to concede.
It’s time to stand up and fight back! Join The Tallahassee Coalition Against Trump on Saturday, March 28 at 3 p.m. at the Florida Historic Capitol to continue the fight against this racist and reactionary Trump administration.
Tampa, FL – On Tuesday, March 10, around 25 students attended a rally called by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society against the freeze on H-1B visas and USFPD’s collaboration with ICE.
In February, the USF Police Department officially signed on to the 287(g) agreement that allows their officers to cross train as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body for public universities in Florida, approved a freeze on hiring new faculty through the H-1B visa program until the end of the year. The H-1B visa program allows employers nationwide to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations like professors. USF’s new President Moez Limayem was previously a recipient of the visa.
In response to these actions taken by the school, Tampa Bay SDS called a rally to demand USF protect international students and faculty. Students demanded that USF be designated a sanctuary campus, and for administration and USFPD to refuse to work with ICE, including not inviting them to the career fairs on campus.
“If they truly want to live up to the values they advertise, then they must prove it. Not with marketing slogans or student clubs, but with real protections and policies,” said SDS member Jayce Solis. “Until that happens, we will continue to organize, speak out, and we will continue to fight for the safety and dignity for every student on this campus.”
Tampa, FL – On Sunday, March 8, over 100 people marched through downtown Tampa for International Women’s Day. The march started and ended at Tampa City Hall.
Jacksonville, FL – On Sunday, March 8, the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) honored International Women’s Day with a community event at Lovelace Park. The slogans for the event were, “Stand with immigrant women!” and “No ICE!”
Tallahassee, FL – On Sunday, March 8, over 60 community members joined the Tallahassee Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) march to commemorate International Women’s Day.
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.
Jacksonville, FL – On Wednesday, March 4, Jacksonville Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held an ICE rapid-response training for students at the University of North Florida. In total, 15 students attended.
Jacksonville, FL – On March 3, around 30 community members and organizers rallied in front of the Federal Courthouse that once housed the office of Florida Senator-turned Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Jacksonville, FL – On Wednesday, March 4, students at the University of North Florida gathered to protest U.S. and Israeli war on Iran, which has killed over 1000 people.
Tampa, FL – On Tuesday, March 3, 13 students rallied near the University of South Florida (USF) at a protest called by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Cars honked, and pedestrians raised their fists in solidarity with the rally.
By Sadie Carlson and staff
Tallahassee, FL – On Saturday, February 28, around 40 community members gathered at the Florida Capitol Building to protest against the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran earlier that morning.