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.

Shayne Tremblay, a member of JPSN, addressed the crowd, “Against the will of the American people, Donald Trump has started a war. A war that has already displaced millions of Iranians. A war that has killed thousands of people in Iran and Lebanon. A war that has killed hundreds of children.” The crowd yelled back in response, “Shame!”

Banners reading “Hands off Iran” waved in the wind beside signs reading “End aid to Israel,” as well as Palestinian flags. Many people at the rally spoke on the relationship of this war to the genocide in Palestine, and chants of “Free, free, Palestine” echoed throughout the downtown.

Organizations from a variety of movements were in attendance, including The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, and Take Em’ Down Jax, Students for a Democratic Society, Democratic Socialists of America, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and more.

There was some rain, but the crowd held strong. People walking past the rally stopped to listen to the speakers. A member of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression stated, “The aggression we see from the U.S. in Iran, and from Israel in Palestine, is an extension of the aggression we face here at home.”

There was a contingent of proud union members in the crowd, and a general sentiment of the importance of the working class in opposing these wars.

Wells Todd, a veteran activist with Take Em’ Down Jax, spoke on the need to transform our unions into fighting organizations. A rank-and-file Teamster asked the crowd, “Do we, workers, want this war? Does this war benefit us?” The crowd shouted back: “No!”

A team of marshals stayed on the lookout for any counter-protesters; they also passed out water to the attendees.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Iran #JPSN

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.

The action was called by the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) to stand in solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela, as well as Iran, Lebanon and Palestine as the Trump administration rapidly escalates its wars across the globe.

“Some of you may be asking: ‘Why is a Palestine organization calling an action for Cuba?’” said JPSN organizer Ryan Delaney. “Because when the U.S. kidnaps the president of Venezuela, cuts off critical oil to the country with the longest standing recognition of a Palestinian state in the Western hemisphere, and starts redirecting that oil to Israel instead, it becomes impossible to ignore that the struggle of every nation under the thumb of imperialism is bound together.”

JPSN organizers spoke to the crowd about the developments in Iran and Lebanon, as well as the longstanding solidarity between Palestine, Cuba and Venezuela, and what the oil blockages mean for the Cuban people before tying it back to JPSN’s campaign to end collaboration between Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) and the war profiteers that have been fueling the genocide in Palestine such as Maersk, ZIM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Jacksonville-based Navy ships and helicopters were photographed participating in the U.S.– Israeli attack on Iran, and the USS Iwo Jima that President Nicolás Maduro was transported on during his kidnapping was subsequently docked in Jacksonville’s Mayport. Many of the weapons and munitions used in the genocide in Palestine that are produced by war profiteering factories in the Black Belt South are in turn shipped through Jacksonville.

The crowd left with a clear call to action – JPSN is organizing to end JAXPORT’s deadliest contracts with war profiteers in order to end Jacksonville’s complicity in war and genocide. JPSN called on all people of conscience to join them in order to get involved in the Genocide Out of Jaxport campaign.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Iran #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – On Friday, December 5, almost 40 people gathered in downtown Jacksonville in front of Governor Rick Scott’s office to rally in solidarity with Venezuela. Scott has advocated for sanctions against the Venezuelan people and has accused President Nicolas Maduro of being a dictator and says the traitor Marina Corina Machado is a “true champion for freedom and democracy in Venezuela.”

Organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the rally featured speeches from the Anti-War Action Network, UNF Students for a Democratic Society, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, the Jacksonville Immigrants’ Rights Alliance and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee.

Venezuelan flags draping the backs of protesters and signs saying “No war on Venezuela” faced the downtown traffic as the rally was met with honks of support from passing cars. Participants also chanted “Hands off Venezuela!” and “No boots on the ground! No bombs in the air! U.S. out of everywhere!” for all to hear.

Ashley Mackenzie from the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network noted that the Palestinian people know all too well what it's like to not be able to fish off their own coasts, because just like the Venezuelan fishermen risk being bombed by the U.S. military, fisherman in Gaza can’t fish off their own coasts without being shot at by the Israeli occupation forces. Maduro’s government has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people time and time again while his opponent, Machado, has shown her true colors by explicitly supporting their genocide by the Zionist entity.

Despite running on a campaign as a “peacemaker” in the 2024 election, President Trump has been anything but since taking office this year. In regard to Palestine, he has escalated the genocide. Now he is wondering why he hasn't won the Nobel Peace Prize and openly acts as the warmonger he is by attempting regime change in Venezuela.

The people of Jacksonville gathered for over an hour on Bay Street to say “No more,” with not only passersby showing support from their cars but with people on foot joining to listen to the speeches as well.

A member of FRSO stated, “Time and time again, U.S. imperialism cannot withstand resistance from a people steadfast in walking their own path and determining their own destiny. I saw that the people’s militias are being armed and preparing for invasion because they understand, like I understand, that racists like Trump and US imperialism only understand one thing, and that's getting popped in the mouth and kicked in the teeth!”

This will only be the first of many actions in north Florida as Trump’s war escalates, because the people of Jacksonville stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support the Bolivarian Revolution!

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #JPSN

People in attendance were reminded that standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people means more than just rhetorical support, it means organized action. Speakers from JPSN highlighted the local opportunity to target an institution complicit in the facilitation of the transfer of weapons to the Zionist entity, namely, the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT).

JAXPORT holds contracts with shipping and logistics companies Maersk and ZIM, who both have transferred weapons and weapons components to further the Zionist occupation of historic Palestine and ongoing genocide.

“As a solidarity organization, we recognize how important it is to keep organizing for Palestine and to pressure our own local institutions complicit in genocide such as JAXPORT,” says Sara Haddad, communications committee member of JPSN. A large banner reading, “Genocide out of JAXPORT” rose to meet the treeline surrounding the park’s perimeter.

As the march passed through the crowded downtown area, many onlookers began to chant and clap along with the protest. Members of JPSN flyered supportive and interested bystanders with information regarding the organization’s ongoing campaigns.

Attendees heard about the connections between political movements, such as between the surveillance and targeting of immigrant communities, and that of anti-war activists across the country facing political repression, and in some cases, deportation. Speakers representing the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) and the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) drew clear connections between these struggles.

Speakers at the rally said Western imperialism seeks to impose itself on the other nations across the globe. Leah Grady of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization told the crowd, “On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we must recommit ourselves to the struggle for a liberated Palestine, from the river to the sea. We must reject normalization, and we must stay steadfast in our fight against imperialism wherever it rears its head.”

As the Zionist entity continues to flagrantly violate the terms of the ceasefire deal on a daily basis, solidarity organizations must stay committed to the struggle for Palestinian liberation and embody the spirit of sumud (steadfastness) after the brave and courageous people of Palestine.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – On August 29, the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) held a protest against Governor DeSantis's planned concentration camp within the Baker County Correctional Facility. The protest took place within the center of Jacksonville, at the city's own Friendship Fountain.

After JIRA mobilized over 700 people to Camp Blanding on July 19, Governor Ron DeSantis changed the location of the planned detention camp from Camp Blanding to the Baker County Correctional Facility. The site was previously shut down in 2021, with inhumane conditions being one of the cited reasons.

A JIRA speaker called the project the “Baker Cruelty Camp” rather than the “Deportation Depot” as Ron DeSantis has dubbed it, stating, “Let's be clear: people were tortured in this building. Guillermo Serrabi was held in solitary for 88 days – he was assaulted by a guard who ruptured his eardrum, and he was denied medical care. Ana Doe, a survivor of trafficking, was placed in solitary, stripped, restrained and sexually mocked by guards! This is this facility's legacy. This is what DeSantis is reopening!”

The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance organized the event which drew support from Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Students for a Democratic Society, the UPS Teamsters Union, FloridaRising, 50501 Veterans, the Malaya Movement, and the Democratic Socialists of America.

As dozens of protesters gathered atop the hill at Friendship Fountain, Monica Martinez with JIRA said, “This cruelty doesn't just affect those who end up inside its walls. This puts a target on the back of every immigrant in northeast Florida. Right now, ICE is operating indiscriminately – kidnapping and attempting to deport community members regardless of their status, tearing families apart and terrorizing our communities.”

Martinez then talked about a person recently detained within Duval County: Diana Marcela Mieja, owner of a small business within the Springfield area of Jacksonville.

“This is not abstract!” Martinez said. “She was detained by ICE after a mental health crisis. She is a legal resident, a business owner, a beloved member of our community. This is who they are targeting! This is why we fight!”

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #ICE #JIRA #JPSN #JCAC #SDS #FloridaRising #50501 #Teamsters #MalayaMovement

Jacksonville, FL – During the week of August 10-17, JPSN answered the call to action by the Anti-War Action Network for protests demanding an end to the siege in Gaza. The Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) organized a total of five events during the week of action, with various ways for the community to get involved.

From mobilizing to city council, to screening a film, to rallying, a vigil, and a volunteer meeting for the Genocide out of JAXPORT campaign, the community was activated in the struggle for a liberated Palestine.

“For the last 22 months we have watched the heroic and courageous Palestinian people refuse to surrender their homes or cower to the genocidal Zionist occupation nor its supporters like the United States. But this does not come without great sacrifice; for 678 days and counting, Palestinians in Gaza have been met with the full genocidal force of the Zionist state. A state hellbent on the destruction of the Palestinian nation, and our people, in order to fulfill the promise it made to its backers: first, the British empire and now, the United States,” said Sara Mahmoud with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network at an August 19 rally outside of Senator Rick Scott’s office. With signs that read “Stop starving Gaza” and the chant, “Open Rafah crossing now!” resonating through downtown, people of conscience in Jacksonville demonstrated a fierce objection to the ongoing siege.

After public comment at a Tuesday, August 12 city council meeting, the community attended a vigil outside of city hall, where members of JPSN read aloud testimonials from Palestinians in Gaza.

Attendees at the Genocide out of JAXPORT All Call on Saturday, August 16, learned about the campaign and participated in two workshops that included power-mapping local forces and a discussion on how to answer the call for an arms embargo within local conditions. Members of JPSN were able to get input and feedback directly from the community to help inform the campaign. People who attended the film screening of Gaza Survivors on Thursday, August 14 also learned about the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) during a teach-in part of the program for the night.

Altogether, the week of action advanced the local struggle for Palestine in Jacksonville, with many ways for people to get activated in the movement and to make their opposition against the ongoing siege loud and clear.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – On July 24, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network and over 30 community members mobilized to City Hall at noon, demanding an end to the siege on Gaza. The call to action, made by Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, was to disrupt business as usual in front of embassies, government buildings and companies perpetuating the starvation of Gaza.

Jacksonville answered that call and, with less than 12 hours’ notice, the reverberations of clanging pots and pans were bouncing off the steps of City Hall – the same site where the Jacksonville city council passed a pro-“Israel” resolution almost two years before.

This call to action comes after months of little to no aid coming into Gaza, the destruction of 400-plus legacy international aid distribution sites, and the installation of four “aid” sites from the misnamed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. That foundation’s primarily functions as a U.S. mercenary force and has killed over 1054 men, women and children who risked their lives to feed their families.

At the entrance of City Hall and directly opposite a popular park with food trucks and casual dining, protesters chanted, “End the siege on Gaza now!” and “Open Rafah Crossing now,” knowing well that time is of the essence. The contents of thousands of aid trucks are rotting at the Egyptian-controlled Rafah border, while approximately 85% of Gaza's population has entered Stage 5 famine, known to cause irreversible epigenetic damage and a high chance of fatal refeeding syndrome, caused when starving people begin eating without health supervision.

If the cacophony of kitchenware caught the attention of workers, the speeches from organizers kept heads turned, including city hall employees on their way to and from their lunch break. For all those in the city center, the man-made starvation of Gaza was made unavoidable along with the unifying message that city, state, and federal officials have viciously slashed domestic services while continually sending billions in military aid to the Zionist entity.

Sara Mahmoud of the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network stated, “While they [families in Gaza] starve, our communities die!” Mahmoud then talked about how chronic government divestment in local infrastructure sharply contradicts the ramping up of federal investment in genocide.

Mahmoud addressed the “inconvenience” to onlookers, stating, “there can be no business as usual” while our tax dollars bankroll genocide and sharpen acute starvation in Gaza.

Fellow organizer and member of JPSN, Ryan Delaney demanded, “We will not accept genocide on our dime!”

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – On Saturday, June 28, over 100 community members gathered at Memorial Park to protest the US’s attacks on Iran. The rally, organized by the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN), went mobile as the demonstrators marched through the Riverside area, and near the very populated Riverside Arts Market.

Palestinian flags waved high beside large banners reading “Hands off Iran!” A member of the Jacksonville Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) told the crowd, “Iran’s support of the Palestinian resistance has been instrumental in the Palestinian liberation movement, and for that we stand in solidarity with Iran, and for Israel’s attacks on Iran, we say shame!”

The march made a pit stop at The Cummer Museum, which became infamous in the community last year. In June of 2024, the organizers of Duval Folx, an annual queer dance party that was historically hosted at The Cummer, was informed that the museum would be severing ties with the group over their support for Palestine. The protesters in the march had not forgotten and stood in front of the museum to boo and shame the museum for its cowardly decision.

The protesters then made their way to the Riverside Arts Market, where thousands of people gather under the Fuller Warren Bridge to buy goods from local vendors. On this day, anyone under the bridge couldn’t help but hear the booming chants of “Hands off Iran!” “U.S. out of the Middle East!” and “Free, free Palestine!”.

Shayne Tremblay of the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network said, “We can’t have business as usual while a genocide is going on. Israel wants to distract us with their attacks on Iran, only to have the U.S. back them up, but we have all eyes on Gaza!”

The marchers made their way through to Riverside Park, where Ryan Delany of the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network stated, “Not only is the Zionist entity using U.S.-made weapons to commit their genocide and to attack Iran, but these weapons are being shipped directly from our local port! We say enough is enough, and it’s time to get genocide out of JaxPort!

As they passed through the historic Five Points area, patrons of the local restaurants and bars couldn’t help to hear the demonstrators chanting “They lied about Iraq, they’re lying about Iran!” and “No justice! No peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” A team of marshals blocked interactions to allow for safe passage and handed out cold water to combat the Florida heat.

#JacksonvilleFL #International #JPSN #SDS

Jacksonville, FL – On June 14, an estimated 4000 protesters transformed downtown Jacksonville into a sea of resistance against the Trump administration's escalating attacks on immigrants, free speech and essential government services. The “No Kings Day” demonstration marked one of Northeast Florida's largest mobilizations in recent memory, with participants decrying Trump's policies at the federal level and local Trump style anti-immigrant measures being passed at the city council level.

“This country is under attack from top to bottom,” said JIRA organizer Maria Garcia. “Whether it's Trump's economic policies hurting working families, his racist rhetoric demonizing immigrants, the ICE raids terrorizing our communities, or activists being targeted – nobody is safe from this administration's attacks.”

The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance anchored the protest, and their “Stop the deportations” banner led the waves of demonstrators through the city center. Chants of “We want justice – you say how? Stop the deportations now!” reverberated off buildings as the diverse crowd, including labor groups, faith leaders, and allied organizations like the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, demonstrated growing opposition to the administration's agenda.

The unprecedented turnout sent a clear message about Northeast Florida's resistance to policies that have seen activists targeted, families separated, and communities living under constant threat of raids. With Jacksonville's immigrant population facing dual assaults from federal crackdowns and local legislation, organizers emphasized that attacks on any vulnerable group represent an attack on all working people.

As the march concluded, the energy shifted toward next steps – including pressuring Mayor Donna Deegan to veto Ordinance 2025-0138 and building broader opposition to the Trump administration's policies. The demonstration's size and discipline showed Jacksonville's capacity for organized resistance, with participants vowing to transform Saturday's show of force into sustained political action.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #NoKings #JCAC #JPSN #JIRA

Jacksonville FL – On May 28, over 200 community members rallied at Duval County Jail to demand the release of three community members who had been arrested and brutalized while attending a city council public comment meeting the afternoon before.

Many organizers for the rally had been protesting and doing bail support through the night without sleep, including Leah Grady of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), who had been released on bail at 3:30 a.m. that morning and immediately took up work to organize a rally for her comrades to be released.

When asked about the rally, Grady said, “It was very heartwarming to see the Jacksonville community come together for all charges to be dropped against us and for the remaining two people to be released. At an emergency action organized in less than 24 hours, we were able to pull together many different local organizations together, rain or shine, in a truly remarkable act of solidarity. I'm eternally grateful for the Jacksonville community, for the work that the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network has been doing to forge these relationships and mobilize against political repression and against the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

With a rally called by Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN), multiple groups including Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA), the National Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (NAARPR), Take ‘Em Down Jacksonville (TEDJ), FRSO, and others spoke to the crowd about the need to strengthen their movement and build an action-oriented unity to defeat the rising political repression.

“JSO wants to beat us into submission, they want to make an example out of us, they want to intimidate us, but are we scared?” shouted Monique Sampson of FRSO at the rally. The crowd replied with a booming “No!” “We're not scared of detention, we're not scared of arrest, we're not even scared of death, because all of those things, every single last one of those things is a small price to pay for freedom in our lifetimes!” she continued, to cheers and applause.

At the end of the rally, with the community invigorated, the group marched to the release center of the jail and continued to chant slogans to demand the release of the organizers for over five hours until their demands were met. Community members remained standing and shouting even through two separate rainstorms. At 8 p.m., one of the two remaining organizers was released, and finally at 10 p.m., Conor Cauley, a leading organizer in JPSN and FRSO general member, was released.

“What struck me most about the attack was that when I made eye contact with the cop, we both knew what was about to happen and that it wasn't about resisting arrest,” said Conor after being released. “I'm very grateful for the local community I have here, their efforts probably saved my life, and their solidarity provides a life worth living.”

JPSN intends to build a campaign around demanding the charges be dropped, including two felony charges being faced by Cauley, and for Maykel Aliaga-Ruiz, the officer who brutalized Cauley, to be fired.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #InJusticeSystem #JCAC #JIRA #NAARPR #JPSN

The protest, organized by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA), brought together a diverse coalition of activists, families, students and labor unionists to demand an end to deportations and the persecution of immigrant neighbors.

The event highlighted growing concerns over the close collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, as well as the erosion of sanctuary protections in schools and places of worship. Protesters also voiced their support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and criticized President Donald Trump's executive orders, which have fueled anti-immigrant policies and fear within the community.

The protest was a vibrant display of unity, with attendees waving signs and flags, chanting, and drawing honks of support from passing cars, trucks and buses. Many vehicles displayed small flags representing countries in Central and South America, symbolizing the cultural ties that bind Jacksonville's immigrant community.

Maria Garcia, a representative of the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, delivered a powerful speech, declaring, “Immigrants are our neighbors. They are sown into the fabric of our city. And we must keep showing up to reject these backwards policies. We have a responsibility to protect our neighbors!” Her words resonated with the crowd, which responded with chants of “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (“The people united will never be defeated!”) and “From Palestine to Mexico, all these walls have got to go.”

Monica Martinez, also a representative of JIRA, a public school teacher and first generation Venezuelan immigrant, stated, “Este último mes, ha sido un mes fuerte para mis estudiantes inmigrantes y americanos. Es evidente de que hay mucha preocupación en las escuelas de todas partes. Desde los adultos, a los estudiantes, y también los padres. Hay mucha inseguridad, cuando las escuelas deben de ser un espacio de aprendizaje y seguridad para nuestros niños. Los niños se merecen ir a recibir sus estudios sin miedo de que ICE vaya a detenerlos para deportar a sus familias.” Martinez explained the harmful impact that these policies have had on her immigrant students and families.

The protest also saw participation from other local organizations, including the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, and the University of North Florida's Students for a Democratic Society. The diverse turnout reflected the broad coalition of support for immigrant rights, with working people, parents, children, elders and students standing shoulder to shoulder and demanding an end to the deportations, for legalization for all, the termination of attacks against immigrants, and the protection of DACA.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #JCAC #JPSN #SDS #JIRA

Jacksonville, FL – On January 20, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a broad coalition of 20 organizations united to bring out over 150 people to the Duval County Courthouse to protest Trump’s agenda. Hearing from speakers representing various struggles, the people of Jacksonville affirm their fight for national liberation movements, workers, immigrants, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights and more.

With a backdrop of the American flag, the Jacksonville community stood committed to making Trump’s America ungovernable; “We are here to honor Dr. King’s dream by being Trump’s nightmare,” said a member of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee.

The crowd also heard from organizations such as the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Students for a Democratic Society. To combat Trump’s racist, reactionary agenda over these next four years, these organizations stressed the necessity of uniting various people’s movements. Passersby could hear the crowd chanting, “The people united, will never be defeated!”

A second Trump term promises an escalation of discrimination and repression of Arab communities, reminiscent of the 2017 Muslim ban. Far from an anti-war administration, the impunity provided to Israel by the U.S will not lessen.

“The last 15 months of genocide in Gaza and the persistence of resistance has given new life to people’s movements all around the globe, signaling a decline of imperial powers and a broadening of political consciousness. We must use this moment not to relax our fight for Palestinian liberation, but to escalate it,” said Ryan Delaney from the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

A general theme heard throughout the evening was of perseverance; that the people must not despair and instead get organized. It was emphasized that over the next four years, the people in Jacksonville will not falter in the struggle against Trump's agenda.

#JacksonvilleFL #Jax #JCAC #Trump #Inauguration #JPSN #FreePalestine #MLK #MLKday #FRSO #SDS

Jacksonville, FL – On November 7, Jacksonville community organizers gathered at the courthouse to denounce the recent election of Donald Trump as the 47th resident, following his victory.

More than 250 people joined the protest, chanting, “When Trump says get back, we say fight back!” Speakers addressed the flaws in the U.S. electoral system, with Michael Sampson, of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, stating “it doesn’t matter which party is in power, we have to demand a People’s agenda.”

Jpess Machin of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization noted, “Kamala and Trump unfortunately have more similarities than differences. They are both pro-Israel, pro-NATO, pro-sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela, pro-police, and more.” Machin went on to critique the Biden administration’s billions in funding for Israel, which has fueled imperialist violence in Palestine.

The election in Florida also brought key ballot measures for Florida voters, including Amendment 4, defending the right to abortion, and Amendment 3, proposing the legalization of recreational marijuana. Both received majority support – 57% for Amendment 4 and nearly 56% for Amendment 3 – but Florida’s undemocratic 60% threshold for ballot measures blocked their passage. Maria Garcia, member of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, called this a “shame,” saying, “Governor Ron DeSantis spent over $50 million of taxpayer money trying defeat abortion rights, yet Amendment 4 got more votes than he got last election!”

Event organizers called on attendees to join an organization and contribute to the struggle against capitalism and imperialism, emphasizing that the fight for justice, human rights, and liberation would continue, regardless of the electoral outcome. Many groups attended the protest, including the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, UNF Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and Take Em Down Jax. The demands of the protest were endorsed by multiple organizations including Black Lives Matter.

These demands were end of police brutality; no to mass deportations and legalization for all; standing up for LGBTQ rights; free Palestine and stopping U.S. aid to the Israeli war machine; stopping the attacks on reproductive freedom, and standing with student rights to free speech.

Organizers reaffirmed that the people united will never be defeated and committed to ongoing resistance against Trump’s agenda.

#JacksonvilleFL #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #FRSO #JCAC #JPSN #UNFSDS #TakeEmDownJax

Jacksonville, FL – On Saturday, October 5, around 150 protesters congregated outside of Jacksonville’s port authority (Jaxport), as part of the Palestinian Youth Movement’s International Day of Action, to demand that the port cut all ties with Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies. Jaxport has had a contract with the shipping behemoth since 2015.

“The people of Gaza have been bombarded by U.S.-made weapons, [made from] weapons components that are transported into these ports that we stand in front of today – and to that we say ‘shame,’” declared Sara from The Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network in the opening talk.

“Like many other corporations, Maersk feeds off the endless budget of U.S. imperialism,” emphasized a speaker from Freedom Road Socialist Organization, “the U.S. empire spans across the globe and has long relied on domination in the Middle East, with Israel as its gateway for foreign investment, resource control and oppression. Israel also seeks their own empire and it’s our money, our tax dollars, being used to fund this violence – let us be very clear that they cannot sustain their empire without us.”

Early into the protest, rain descended on the crowd, but, despite the onslaught, the ralliers prevailed.

“Victory goes not to those who inflict the most but those who can endure the most,” a member of the Teamsters called to the drenched protesters, “The demands of the Palestinian trade union movement are not ambiguous, it’s not that we don’t know what they want – they want an end to these arms shipments.”

The sentiments of many of the speakers, that we cannot let this constant flow of death continue, were echoed in the fearful response from Jaxport. It had police blockade the entrance before the event even began, with squadrons waiting out of sight behind it.

Maersk has transported over $300 million in weapons components on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. Divestment from Maersk would be a direct blow on the supply chain that fuels the genocide of Palestinians.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #WeaponsIndustry #Maersk #FRSO #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – More than 200 community members rallied alongside Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) to protest the visit of Vice President Harris, May 1, who had come to campaign the same day the Republican-led state began enforcing the six-week abortion ban.

The Democratic party is using this ban as an opportunity to shore up support for Democratic candidates that will appear on the November ballot alongside Florida Amendment 4, which would codify reproductive rights in the state's constitution.

“We won't allow Harris to coopt the hard work of grassroots organizers,” said Sara Mahmoud of JPSN. “The Biden-Harris administration has no leg to stand on in coming to our city to virtue signal support for reproductive rights when they are the butchers of Gaza, where miscarriages have tripled since October and the U.S.-backed siege has forced Palestinians to use tent fabric to substitute menstrual products.”

JPSN organizers led the crowd in chants against the vice president and her guests as they arrived at the speaking venue, along with segments of political education. At one point, a Christian faith leader who was among Harris' invited guests approached the crowd, exclaiming “I wanted to come get a picture with you all. Because I want everyone to know we support you!”

“I need everyone here to understand,” shouted Ryan Delaney of JPSN and FRSO through a bullhorn, “that we are stronger together. We are here making an impact because we are organized. We must be strong because our strength is the strength of the Palestinian people. When we strike a powerful blow against the empire, it brings those in Gaza hope to keep going, which is why you see them writing messages of gratitude to the Columbia students on the tents in their refugee camps. It's our duty to be as strong as we can be for their sake, and to do that we must organize!”

The Harris campaign fled the venue from the opposite end of the building. JPSN says they will continue to fight for a free Palestine no matter who wins in November or how long it takes.

#JacksonvilleFL #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #JPSN #FRSO #Biden #Harris

Jacksonville, FL – Students for a Democratic Society at the University of North Florida began a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza on Tuesday, April 30. They set up on the UNF Green to demand that UNF divest from any partnerships with the racist state of Israel, and to show solidarity with college students across the country protesting for the people of Gaza.

Immediately after setting up one tent, the campus police arrived in full riot gear threatening the students. The police began expressing arbitrary rules and curfews that cannot be located in writing on any campus policy.

On Thursday, May 2, after a small teach-in on Palestine, members of the local Muslim community observed their Isha prayer. Students and community members sat on the Green, while more and more police arrived to intimidate any and all remaining protesters. Eventually, hundreds of police in full riot gear, sporting gas masks and brandishing zip tie handcuffs, swarmed these protesters, who had their hands raised in the air.

All 17 protesters are being charged with trespassing. Community activists are demanding State Attorney Melissa Nelson drop their charges. Protesters are also calling on University of North Florida President Moez Limayem to stop the repression of student activists.

Activists are asking the public to contact UNF President Limayem at 904-620-2500 or president@unf.edu.

Currently, the protesters are scheduled to be released on Friday evening. Stay tuned to Jax Takes Action, Jax Palestine Solidarity and UNF SDS for updates.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #JCAC #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – On March 9, Jacksonville community members gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day and demanded freedom for Palestine. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, UNF SDS held the event.

The venue was standing room only as a crowd listened to a panel of women and non-binary student and Palestinian community leaders. Panelists connected the struggle for Black liberation to the struggle for Palestinian liberation. The speakers also discussed the conditions of women who are affected by the genocide in occupied Palestine as well as the important contributions of women in the struggle for liberation.

“Palestinian history did not start in 1948 and neither did our resistance,” said, Sara Mahmoud, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network leader and member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Accompanying the panel were performances from poets connected to the movement followed by the performance of the song Libre y Peligrosa by Plena Combativa.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #WomensMovement #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #InternationalWomensDay #JCAC #JPSN #SDS

Jacksonville, FL – Over 500 people took the streets, October 14, to march in support of the Palestinian liberation movement against Israeli occupation. Demonstrators held Palestinian flags and chanted “Free free, Palestine.”

While the crowd was majority Arab, people from all backgrounds and ages joined the fight. The crowd was energetic and steadfast in their demands to end the occupation. During the march, cars honked in support and displayed Palestinian flags and keffiyehs.

“This is a historic time for the people of Palestine. We’re showing the world what it means to fight back against occupation and oppression,” said Sara Tabiya. an organizer with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

Organizers with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network are planning to continue to organize as events in Palestine continue to unfold. Any future events will be announced via the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

#JacksonvilleFL #Palestine #JPSN

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 people rallied in support of Palestine, October 9, in front of the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.

A large portion of those who attended were members of Jacksonville’s Arab community, including many Palestinians. They were motivated to attend the demonstration after recent events in Palestine, where the movement to defeat Zionism is growing stronger. People around the world are watching as Palestinians are fighting for liberation and the end to Israeli apartheid.

Protesters called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. After hearing from several speakers, the crowd marched around the courthouse, chanting and holding signs. Those who participated in the demonstration and march could be heard chanting loud enough to echo around the downtown area: “Free, free, Palestine!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” The family of Le’Keian Woods, a young man recently beaten by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, was also present and spoke on the need for different movements to support one another.

Several organizations helped to facilitate the rally, including the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Members of Students for a Democratic Society and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee also attended and spoke during the event.

Maria Garcia, a member of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, spoke to the crowd, saying, “The struggle for justice knows no borders, and in unity, we find strength. We’re in this together, fighting for justice, freedom, and the right to live without oppression. From Palestine to Puerto Rico, from Jacksonville to Jerusalem, we stand as one against the tyranny of occupation.”

Jessica Machin spoke to the crowd and delivered a statement of support for Palestine written by Freedom Road Socialist Organization. After the rally, she said, “Tonight I was proud to see over 100 people in Jacksonville stand together in solidarity with their Palestinian neighbors against the decades of atrocities committed by Israel. It’s been made clear who the real enemy is, and I was happy to hear chants like ‘Palestine is our demand, no peace on stolen land!’ It was a great reminder on Indigenous People’s Day that Israel is an evil occupying state funded by U.S. tax dollars.”

The protesters vowed to continue showing support for Palestinian liberation and made plans to continue organizing events with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

#JacksonvilleFL #Palestine #JCAC #JPSN