Jacksonville, FL – On Saturday August 29, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee organized a drive-in protest to demand a People’s Budget, a Jacksonville Police Accountability Council (JPAC) and an end to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR). Protesters were joined by the families of Reginald Boston and Leah Baker; all of whom were killed by Jacksonville Sheriff Office (JSO) cops. Protesters also stood in solidarity with protestors in Kenosha, demanding Justice for Jacob Blake.

To ensure the safety of protesters in the midst of COVID-19 outbreaks in Florida, a drive-in protest was held. Over 150 cars and dozens on foot filled the grassy lot across the street from the Jacksonville Sheriff Office to stand in solidarity and demand justice for victims of police brutality.

The Jacksonville Community Action Committee demanded a budget that reallocates millions of dollars from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to public services and programs. The People’s budget stands up in opposition to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s budget proposal, which gives almost half a billion dollars to the Jacksonville Sheriff Office. The People’s Budget called for a large reallocation of city spending to create living wages and union jobs, large investments in the Black community, including public transportation and other social safety net programs such as mental health services.

Yvonno Kemp, the mother of Reginald Boston, gave a powerful speech. She spoke out about her son’s death and the need to bring an end to police terror in Jacksonville.

Protesters chanted, “No justice no peace, no racist police” and “Indict! Convict! send these killer cops to jail”

Calls for a Jacksonville Police Accountability Council continued throughout the rally, with speakers like Wells Todd of Take em Down Jax calling for community control of the police in Jacksonville.

“After listening to parents publicly grieve over the loss of their children, I don’t know how anyone could support more money to JSO. It was JSO that forced those families into grief. It’s time for communities to be properly served. It’s time for the People’s Budget,” says Monica Gold of JCAC.

Saturday’s action demonstrated that Jacksonville activists are only increasing in momentum, as they continue the struggle to see their demands met. Follow more on the Jacksonville Community Action Committee at https://jaxtakesaction.org.

#JacksonvilleFL #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #JacksonvillePoliceAccountabilityCouncilJPAC

Jacksonville, FL — On Saturday July 18, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee organized a drive-in protest to demand a People’s Budget, a Jacksonville Police Accountability Council (JPAC) and an end to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR). Protesters were joined by the families of Jamee Johnson, Kwame Jones and Leah Baker; all of whom were killed by Jacksonville Sheriff Office (JSO) cops.

Organizers took a unique approach to the National Day of Action called by the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, in an effort to ensure the safety of protesters in the midst of COVID-19 spikes. Close to 200 vehicles filled the grass lot across from the Jacksonville Sheriff Office Memorial Building to hear the rally, with many on foot outside of their vehicles.

The Jacksonville Community Action Committee is calling for a “People’s Budget” prioritizes massive public investment in the people, not the police. Earlier in the week, the group announced their People’s Budget, in opposition to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s budget proposal which still sought to give almost half a billion dollars to JSO. Their People’s Budget called for a large reallocation of city spending to creating living wage, union jobs through the department of public works, large investments in the Black community including public transportation and other social safety net programs and as well, a large investment in mental health services of Jacksonville’s citizens.

On Saturday, Leah Baker’s mother spoke about Leah’s struggles with accessible mental healthcare. Leah was shot and killed by multiple JSO officers after calling for help, fearing that she may be a danger to herself, not others.

Protesters chanted, “Money for schools, not police, money for healthcare, not police!” and “What do we want? JPAC. When do we want it? Now!”

Calls for a Jacksonville Police Accountability Council continued throughout the rally, with speakers like Ben Frazier of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville calling for community control of the police in Jacksonville.

“Police accountability through a JPAC would ensure that killer cops are not roaming the streets with continued impunity,” said Kiara Joyner of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee and a co-emcee of the rally. “The JSO officers that killed Jamee Johnson, Kwame Jones and Leah Baker would be indicted for their crimes. However, in the current system, these officers are treated as if they are ‘above the law,’ and in some ways they are due to LEOBOR, the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights which gives killer cops and extra layer of due process, which is why that law must be repealed.”

Saturday’s action demonstrated that Jacksonville protesters are not growing weary, and they will not stop until their demands are met. Follow more on the Jacksonville Community Action Committee at https://jaxtakesaction.org.

#JacksonvilleFL #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #JacksonvilleCommunityActionCommittee #JacksonvillePoliceAccountabilityCouncilJPAC #LawEnforcementOfficersBillOfRightsLEOBOR #LennyCurry