Students chanted “Increase Black enrollment now!” and “Rhea Law shame on you, Black students matter too!” before they were escorted out of the building. Weatherford stopped his speech in attempts to quiet protesters, saying, “Ladies and gentleman we hear you. Thank you, please, thank you.” As students continued to call for administration to make real changes towards equality Weatherford dismissed their cries saying, “You just never know what’s going to happen on a USF campus. We promised you excitement today and you are going to get it”.

SDS members were removed from the building by university police, all while the new president and administration looked on. This clear difference between the demands of students and administration does not go unnoticed. Student Lauren Pinero stated, “SDS has made repeated attempts to be heard by President Rhea Law throughout our campaign to increase Black enrollment on our campus. Instead of creating actionable steps to show us how she is working towards this goal, she has ignored us and allowed the campus police to threaten us with criminal action.”

The disproportionate lack of Black student enrollment has been a long standing fight between students and administration. SDS Member Victoria Hinckley spoke more about USF’s historical lack of Black enrollment saying, “Black enrollment at USF has been around 9% for years despite the area of Tampa having a Black population of 23%. We are here to demand that USF administration finally take action to support Black students.”

Attempts from past administration to increase the rate of Black enrollment have been unsuccessful, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committees resigning after noting their lack of power to make any real change at the university. There is a statewide threat to shut down similar programs after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis demanded budgets from all public colleges and universities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This intimidation from the governor has been met with pushback from faculty unions and student groups across the state.

“Tampa Bay SDS will continue to fight for equal opportunities for all who wish to attend colleges and universities,” said SDS member Lauren Pinero. “If this event shows us anything, it’s that Rhea Law and her administration will do more to protect the university’s donors and business contracts than the students who attend this school. We refuse to back down in the face of this repression and will continue to fight for Black students until our demands are met.”

#TampaFL #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

Tampa, Fl – On May 25, students and community members of Tampa Bay rallied to demand Derek Chauvin receive maximum sentencing for his murder of George Floyd. The protest was held by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) as a part of a national day of action to demand Chauvin get the sentencing appropriate for his crime.

Eithne Silva, member of SDS, stated, “We participated in this national day of action to demand that Derek Chauvin get a maximum sentence for the murder of George Floyd and that the other police officers who stood by and watched the murder get jailed for their complicity.”

The event was held in preparation for the sentencing of Chauvin, which is said to be sometime in June. There are multiple dates that have been presented for Chauvin’s sentencing, but the most recent one is said to be on June 16.

“The sentencing is being dragged out because the police hope that the people will forget so Chauvin can get a light sentence, so it's all the more important for us to continue having protests to put pressure on the police and the court to get true justice,” Silva stated.

Protesters also highlighted the fact that the chokehold that Chauvin used on Floyd is a common tactic of Israeli soldiers against Palestinians. Chauvin and other police officers often learn Zionist soldier tactics through conferences held in the U.S. or by traveling directly to occupied Palestine. Protesters demonstrated international solidarity with the people of occupied Palestine through chanting, “From Palestine to Chicago, occupation has got to go!”

The event also had community members who spoke about local cases of police crimes in Tampa.

Will Blake, member of Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC) stated, “After numerous cases of police brutality, misconduct, and murders, our local officials like the mayor and state attorney have shown that they have no interest in holding officers accountable. This is why we need community control of the police, because our officials and police do not at all represent the Black, brown and working people of this city.”

SDS will continue to call for justice for George Floyd and all victims of police brutality. If the courts attempt to give Chauvin a light sentence, SDS will demand that he receives the sentence he deserves.

Silva stated, “It’s important for us to reiterate the people's demand for community control of the police and our own demand to defund our university police.”

#TampaFl #TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #GeorgeFloyd #DerekChauvin

Tampa, Fl – Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a 20-person protest outside the University of South Florida’s (USF) entrance on April 20 opposing the university’s budget cuts and a state bill restricting the Bright Futures scholarship. Bright Futures provides 75 to 100% of an eligible student’s tuition. USF is implementing $36.7 million in cuts to areas such as student success, financial aid and health services.

Senate Bill 86 initially restricted Bright Futures based on whether a student’s major would lead to employment. The current bill version requires students to complete modules on career outlook for their majors. Many students worry that data from these modules and graduation rates will become evidence to cut scholarships for non-STEM majors.

“This bill really exposes Florida’s true priorities, they only care about students when it’s profitable to them,” said Gia Davila, member of Tampa Bay SDS.

The funding of Bright Futures as a whole may also be subject to change. SB 86 would remove the strict 75-100% tuition coverage and have the program’s budget discussed annually. The bill would make it easier for legislators to reduce Bright Future’s funding. This year, Florida is considering removal of the $600 textbook stipend included with Bright Futures.

“The fact that the bill targets majors that are pursued primarily by marginalized people who already have difficulties securing jobs let alone get equal pay is especially troubling,” said Gareth Dawkins, a member of Tampa Bay SDS.

USF’s budget cuts could have similar consequences to SB 86. Reducing staff, course options, scholarships and health services would negatively impact students and workers. Several positions were eliminated from the athletics department last fall.

“It is absurd to see USF lay off workers and make cuts to our education while simultaneously constructing a $54 million building. They are getting rid of workers who are essential to the quality of our education and the inner workings of the university,” said Laura Rodriguez, a member of Tampa Bay SDS.

USF promised to cut the police budget by 5% last fall. Tampa SDS began demanding USF defund its police after the Justice for George Floyd movement last summer. SDS delayed starting the April 20 event to hear the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial. The organizers agreed that if Chauvin was found not guilty, the protest would have focused on the verdict. After the guilty verdict, protesters still chanted, “Take it to the streets, defund the police! No justice, no peace!” The rest of the event demanded defunding the police as part of SDS’s Chop from the Top campaign.

Tampa SDS will continue to oppose measures that harm students and university workers, at USF across the state of Florida. They plan to continue their fight against the school’s budget cuts into the summer.

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #UniversityOfSouthFlorida

Tampa, FL – On March 8, 40 protesters gathered in downtown Tampa to demand the conviction of Derek Chauvin. The protest was cohosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC). Speakers demanded justice for George Floyd. The groups held the protest in response to both the National SDS and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression calling for a day of action on the first day of Derek Chauvin’s trial.

The protesters also demanded justice for local victims of police violence like Jonas Joseph, Josiah Pinner and Dominique Mulkey. They demanded accountability through a civilian police accountability council and community control of the police.

“We must continue fighting for community control to make sure that we can get accountability and justice for victims of police brutality here in Tampa. To make sure that our communities are able to get the changes we need and police are held accountable,” said David Jones, a member of TBCAC.

TBCAC and SDS protested despite political repression after the George Floyd uprising last summer. Both groups stand against HB1 and SB484, bills that will criminalize protests in Florida. Tampa SDS continues to hold events despite a suspension from the University of South Florida. Two SDS members and one TBCAC member were arrested at a protest at USF one month before the start of the Derek Chauvin trial.

“Despite pressure from our school, it was extremely important to show solidarity with the family of George Floyd, and the people in Minneapolis. Even though our last protest ended abruptly due to police interference, that does not mean we’ll back down, especially since March 8 was on the start of Derek Chauvin’s trial,” said Gareth Dawkins, member of Tampa Bay SDS.

As Derek Chauvin’s trial carries on, SDS and TBCAC plan to continue to protest for justice for George Floyd, as well as justice for local victims of police brutality.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #GeorgeFloyd #DerekChauvin #TampaBayCommunityActionCommitteeTBCAC

Tampa, FL – On November 17, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a “Students Against Political Repression” protest in front of the Sam M. Gibbons Federal Courthouse in downtown Tampa. They rallied students and members of the community against political repression at the university, state and national level.

A topic covered in many speeches was Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed bill titled “Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act.” With the provisions in this bill, any protest can be labeled ‘disorderly’ and felony charges can be leveled against the participants. Additionally, the bill removes liability for drivers who hit protesters with their car. This was a common tactic used by white supremacists against Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer, including multiple incidents in the Tampa Bay area.

Zachary Rashas, member of Tampa Bay SDS, said in a speech about the proposed bill, “People have the right to speak out when they feel they are being wronged, and this specific brand of mass incarceration would only serve to silence dissenters and give more power to the police.”

The event was part of a national day of action in honor of International Students’ Day. The students emphasized the importance of showing solidarity with those who are punished for protesting injustice, such as the Tallahassee 19 and the 646-plus people arrested in Minneapolis on November 4.

Tampa Bay SDS is also facing political repression from its own university, the University of South Florida (USF), by being suspended and having members threatened with arrest for protesting on campus.

Simon Rowe of Tampa Bay SDS stated, “I'm glad that SDS is speaking out about its political repression. USF threatening student activists with arrest for protesting the university’s recent budget cuts is no different from DeSantis threatening protest organizers with felony charges. It's about silencing and intimidating progressive movements, and we cannot afford to give up.”

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #PoliticalRepression #RonDeSantis

Tampa, FL – On November 4, the day after the election, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and students from University of South Florida gathered to protest against Donald Trump stealing the election and an end to police crimes. The event was a part of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s (NAARPR) Post-Election Protest for a People's Mandate.

As Trump makes comments about recounting ballots and winning states he clearly did not win, SDS called for an end to the Trump presidency and his attacks on the working people of this country. Speeches also demanded an end to racist police crimes and for community control of the police.

David Jones, member of Tampa Bay SDS, stated, “We must defeat Trump and demand accountability and justice for victims of police brutality. We have to go out and fight for community control of the police.”

The protest also included speeches and chants against Trump's racist attacks on immigrants. Laura Rodriguez, another member of Tampa Bay SDS, discussed the presence of ICE, “Immigrants in the United States are subjected to the brute force of fascism when they are detained in ICE facilities. ICE facilities are concentration camps littered with human rights violations from torture to forced sterilizations. ICE must be abolished and reparations must be given to the people it terrorized.”

The event called for a continuation of the fight against racist inequality and police brutality no matter who wins the election, and to hold Biden accountable if he were to become president. Jones states, “This election is a push to defeat Trump. At the end of the day that’s why we voted. Now we’ve gotta stay in the streets to make sure the people’s voices are heard and the real change can happen in our communities.”

#TampaFL #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #PostElectionProtestForAPeoplesMandate

Tampa, FL – Students at the University of South Florida (USF) and concerned members of the Tampa community gathered at the entrance of the university, October 28, for a rally against recently implemented and proposed budget cuts. This rally, hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), aimed to ensure that the school did not make any more cuts that would affect students and workers, and instead wanted USF to take cuts from the budget of the USF Police Department and highly-paid administrators.

With news of the undergraduate college of education closing and the reduction of resources available for disabled students, SDS believes that the university could’ve done more to avoid these types of cuts and will keep fighting to make sure that workers and students are put first instead maximizing profits.

However, before the rally started, the group was approached by USF Dean of Students Danielle Mcdonald, who told the group that Tampa Bay SDS has been provisionally suspended. The students were told that the rally they were originally going to hold at the Lifsey House – the president's mansion on campus – would be considered trespassing and that academic and legal action could be taken against anyone who participated.

With threats of arrests and penalties towards the organization, the students felt as though this was all an act of political suppression. Eithne Silva, a member of SDS, discussed this act from McDonald and the school; “The hostility with which the dean of students approached us shows the university's true intentions. What they really want to do is use every possible avenue they have to suppress progressive student voices.”

After the encounter with the dean, SDS and other members of the school and community decided to relocate their rally. At the new location, the group chanted about the university and administration needing to prioritize people over profits and gave speeches about their campaign, defunding USFPD, and worker solidarity.

Despite the repression from the school, Tampa Bay SDS will continue fighting for the school to make financial decisions that are for the benefit of students and workers. As stated by Zachary Rashas, a member of Tampa SDS, “I think it's really important to keep organizing, especially now, because the fact that they [USF administration] get mad shows that we struck a nerve somewhere, and they're afraid that we will disrupt the status quo.”

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

Tampa, FL – On October 20, around 40 students and community members protested against the University of South Florida’s (USF) budget cuts and demanded defunding the campus police. Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held the protest as part of their Chop from the Top and the Cops campaign and a new demand for USF to keep the College of Education after recent news of the department’s closure.

The reason for ending undergraduate education programs, according to USF, is that attendance has been low and that ending the program will save the school about $6.8 million. This decision is the beginning of USF’s implementation of this school year’s 8.5% budget cut. SDS demands that no departments at USF close, and that no workers are laid off due to these budget cuts.

Gareth Dawkins, a member of Tampa SDS, said, “The university could’ve enacted greater cuts on the police department or defunded them completely as opposed to shutting down the undergraduate department of education.”

Instead of these budget cuts, SDS demands having the highest-paid administrators take substantial pay cuts and defunding the USF Police Department. USF’s police department had a budget of $7 million last year and have announced a 5% cut this year.

Veronica Sierra, another member of SDS, stated, “A school that charges $90 a semester for parking passes during a pandemic when there aren’t as many students on campus, has $7 million to spend for campus police, and overpays their administration, shouldn’t have to cut off an entire college. These funds should be put towards helping the school and students, not making things worse.”

SDS’s Chop from the Top and the Cops campaign will continue to demand more resources for students and workers and that budget cuts come from the most overfunded parts of the budget, such as the administration and the police department.

#TampaFL #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #ChopFromTheTopAndTheCops #CollegeOfEducation #USFPoliceDepartment

Tampa, FL – On October 5, members of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) gathered near the University of South Florida (USF) to protest the university’s recent budget cuts. University administration recently announced budget cuts amounting to $36.7 million, with instruction taking the bulk of the cuts and various student services comprising the rest.

Tampa Bay SDS protested these budget cuts, which would adversely affect students and workers on campus, with chants calling for USF administration to instead take significant pay cuts and to defund the university police department (USFPD). Speeches noted that USFPD is overfunded, as evidenced by recent purchases of armored cars and military-grade weapons, and that their presence on campus makes students feel intimidated rather than safe.

According to Zachary Rashas, a member of Tampa Bay SDS, “It only makes sense to take from USFPD’s budget first instead of staff and faculty salaries.”

The protest called attention to the university administration’s greed and chants demanded that they “put people over profits.” In response to USF President Steve Currall’s recent announcement that he and other top administrators will take pay cuts collectively amounting to $600,000, Rashas stated, “It isn’t enough. They need to take a more drastic pay cut.”

Tampa Bay SDS also demanded that no workers be laid off, and that workers forced to return to campus be provided with hazard pay.

Rashas said that the rally was successful in bringing more awareness to the budget cuts, and that Tampa Bay SDS will continue to fight back against these budget cuts in solidarity with other students, faculty and workers through their campaign “Chop From the Top and the Cops!”

#TampaFL #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS

Tampa, FL – On September 2, students at the University of South Florida (USF) and concerned members of the Tampa community gathered at the house of Steve Currall, the current president of the USF, for a car protest demanding an increase in hiring Black faculty, specifically, professors and counselors. The protest was hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

Gareth Dawkins, a member of Tampa Bay SDS, discussed the new campaign to increase Black professors and counselors, which is coupled with a campaign to increase Black student enrollment: “USF needs to hire more Black faculty to not only include Black people in education but to also create an environment that doesn't harm Black people's well-being or chances at success. That's why specific demands like combating white supremacy on campus, hiring more Black professors, and hiring more Black counselors are important to winning our campaigns.”

Not only did SDS and students talk about the importance of hiring more Black professors and counselors, but they also discussed the recent budget cuts that the university is planning, which will impact students, especially Black students and students from working-class and low-income households.

Another member of SDS, Simon Rowe, commented on holding institutions like USF accountable for how they allocate their money, stating, “Unless we stop USF from implementing the proposed budget cuts, our demands to increase Black student enrollment won’t be met and USF won’t hire more Black faculty.”

Throughout the event, members of Tampa Bay SDS gave speeches demanding that USF dedicate more resources for Black students, hire more Black faculty, and also combat racism and white supremacy on campus. Tampa Bay SDS will continue fighting for an increase in Black faculty and counselors at USF and will continue holding the university accountable to their promise of increasing Black student enrollment.

#TampaFL #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #Antiracism

Tampa, FL – On February 25, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a Black Students Matter rally on campus to bring attention to the racist admissions practices that the administration at the University of South Florida (USF) engages in.

Enrollment of Black students at USF has been declining for years and the percent of Black students at USF was the lowest it’s been in the past decade last semester (fall 2019), at 9.4%. This is especially alarming considering that in the Tampa Bay area, where USF is located, Black people comprise 24% of the population.

“We understand how schools like USF partake in acts of anti-Blackness that deny an already marginalized group of people an education,” said Gareth Dawkins, member of Tampa Bay SDS.

Tampa Bay SDS has been confronting administration about this problem and has even met with administrators Dean McDonald, Vice President Paul Dosal, and Vice President of Diversity Dr. Haywood Brown to discuss it. Despite Tampa Bay SDS suggesting methods that have been proven to make college more accessible to historically underrepresented groups, like increasing the financial aid available to Black students and automatically accepting top performing students from all local high schools, the administrators were more concerned with accepting students who were guaranteed to graduate within four years to maintain the university’s status.

During the rally, Tampa Bay SDS brought attention to USF administration’s unwillingness to enroll more Black students, the lack of financial aid available to Black students despite USF’s bloated budget, and USF administration’s continued silence and inaction regarding white supremacist activity on campus.

Regarding their campaign to Increase Black enrollment at USF, Dawkins stated that Tampa Bay SDS “hopes to work with other organizations that also want to increase African American student enrollment at USF and will continue to publicize the declining enrollment because it’s a community issue that concerns all of us.”

#TampaFL #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #Antiracism #UniversityOfSouthFloridaUSF #IncreaseBlackEnrollment

With chants saying, “USF shame on you! Black lives matter too!” the students used the rally to reach out to the student body about the ways that the university continues to be complacent with white supremacy. One member of SDS said, “It’s a continuous struggle to organize at USF, but this event was another step towards increasing Black enrollment at USF.”

This action took place alongside SDS’s Increase Black Enrollment campaign which highlights the university’s lack of Black students and looks for ways that USF can increase Black enrollment.

Black enrollment at USF was 9.4% in fall 2019, whereas the Black population makes up 24% of Tampa. The student group says that a lack of resources and a wave of white supremacy on the campus are responsible for the decrease in enrollment of Black students at USF, and that the university administration needs to do more to reach out to the surrounding community.

The Tampa Bay SDS chapter continues to fight back against racist university policies and stand with students of color and their struggle with white supremacy at USF.

#TampaFL #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #Antiracism #UniversityOfSouthFloridaUSF #JameeJohnson

Tampa, FL – More than 50 Tampa area students and community activists gathered at the University of South Florida’s MLK Plaza, October 24, for a rally against Trump’s attacks on transgender rights. The protest was organized by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

Earlier this week it was announced that Trump administration officials were moving to alter Title IX rules to exclude trans people from basic services and protection from discrimination. This is only the latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community from the Trump administration.

“We need to organize against Trump’s attacks on trans rights. The government needs to know that we will stand up and stand together against what they try to force on us, and we won’t take no for an answer,” said Taylor Cook, an organizer from Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, underscoring the need for a militant response.

The protest was located in a central area of campus with hundreds of students walking by. The protesters chanted, “When trans people are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “It’s our history don’t deny it, Stonewall was a trans riot!” drowning out heckling from bigoted students nearby.

The protest showed that the way forward for activists resisting Trump’s attacks on trans people is through mass protests and action. The event was part of Students for a Democratic Society’s national week of action in defense of trans rights.

#TampaFL #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #US #PeoplesStruggles #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #TransLivesMatter #DonaldTrump #TitleIX #TransRights

Tampa, FL – Members from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) from the Universities of South Florida (USF) and North Florida (UNF) held a Black Lives Matter event, Aug. 30, at the campus of USF. The rally was in direct response to the numerous instances of racist incidents and white supremacy on campus, including the placement of white-supremacist flyers on the MLK Jr. statue at the university, as well as the writings of racial slurs in a residential hall. The lack of acknowledgment and confrontation towards these problems by university administrators prompted members of SDS to demand accountability from USF.

Community and student activists spoke, addressing the revocation of the Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and the role and militarization of police in African American communities. Activists of UNF SDS shared their experience of getting a grand wizard of the KKK suspended indefinitely from the university.

After listing the names of victims of police crimes, Liz Kramer of Tampa Bay SDS stated, “These are only a few names. A few loved ones that won’t be seen again. A few community members who are no longer present and whose absence leaves a hole. A few names among hundreds. And there will be more deaths so long as the police are allowed to continue on their same track.”

This event also spread awareness for the upcoming trial of Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot and killed teenager Laquan McDonald. The Chicago trial is set to begin Wednesday, Sept. 5.

#TampaFL #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #BlackLivesMatter #UNFSDS

Tampa, FL – Across Florida, groups with the Coalition to March on the RNC protested as part of a statewide day of action on July 27. The day marked a one-month countdown to the Republican National Convention (RNC) and the massive unified march and protest happening on Monday, August 27, in Tampa.

Groups across the state and around the country will be coming down to Tampa as part of a broad coalition saying no to the Republican agenda. The Coalition is promoting a people’s agenda demanding, “Good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality and peace.” The group is protesting on the opening day of the RNC and demanding that government money be used for human needs, not for corporate greed and wars overseas.

In Tampa, leaders from Students Working for Equal Rights, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, Fight Back Florida, members of Teamsters Local 79 and Occupy Tampa gathered at Perry Harvey Sr. Park. This is where the march on the RNC will begin with a rally at 10:00 a.m. on August 27. Organizers waved a huge banner that said, “Be here August 27th to demand: Good jobs, Healthcare, Affordable Education, Equality and Peace.” The Coalition to March on the RNC leaders spoke to the media about the recently granted permits, as well as details of the march and rally. They plan to continue to gather support from the community as the massive protest draws near.

At nearly the same time, Coalition to March on the RNC partners in Tallahassee, the state capitol, protested outside the Florida State Republican headquarters. Despite a sudden heavy thunderstorm, protesters rallied outside of the office. John Saullo of SDS condemned the Republicans, saying, “They attack women’s rights and provide tax cuts to the wealthiest in society, all while eroding the rights of working families and creating destructive environmental policies.”

Later in the day, the Coalition to March on the RNC in Gainesville protested outside of the Bank of America chanting, “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” 30 protesters gathered from Gainesville area Students for a Democratic Society, Occupy Gainesville and Veterans for Peace. They rallied outside of the bank where Jeremiah Tattersall said, “Bank of America funds the parties of the 1%. We'll be following their money to Tampa for the RNC, but also to Charlotte for the DNC.” Protesters then marched to a busy intersection, waving signs and chanting.

Around the country groups and people are mobilizing for the Tampa protest against the Republicans and the wealthy 1% who own and control both political parties. The Coalition to March on the RNC plans to protest within sight and sound of the Republican convention. They also support the March on Wall Street South during the Democratic National Convention a few days later.

After the opening rally on Monday morning of August 27, the Coalition will march through the streets of downtown Tampa to “Protest RNC Square” for another rally outside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum to oppose the Republicans and their 1% backers. A united message of struggle and progress, carried by thousands who are part of a growing movement in the streets and work places, will be heard across the country and perhaps the world.

#TampaFL #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCStopTheWar #FightBackFlorida #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #RNC2012 #CoalitionToMarchOnWallStreetSouth #RepublicanNationalConvention2012

Tampa, Fl – About 50 people from across the country gathered here June 16, on the University of South Florida campus, for the Coalition to March on the Republican National Convention Organizers Conference. There were representatives from more than 30 labor unions, student organizations, anti-war groups and immigrant rights groups from Florida, Minnesota, Illinois and North Carolina, including the Graduate Assistants United at the University of Florida, Students for a Democratic Society, the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, the United National Anti War Coalition, and Students Working for Equal Rights.

The conference focused on reaching out to groups and organizations opposed to the Republican agenda, in order to bring them to Tampa for the march. At the conference, participants discussed the importance of the Coalition’s central demands – Jobs, Health Care, Affordable Education, Peace, and Equality – and ways of accurately conveying their message to the media.

Marisol Marquez and Fernando Figueroa, two of the lead Florida organizers for the Coalition to March on the RNC, facilitated a full schedule of workshops and planning sessions aimed at building for the march on August 27, the first day of the convention.

“The Coalition to March on the RNC is a group effort, in every sense of the word,” said Figueroa. “We’re hosting this conference so all of our coalition partners – workers, students, immigrants, and others – can build for this historic march in August behind a unified message and a cohesive organizing strategy.”

Mick Kelly, an organizer of the massive protest at the 2008 Republican Convention urged an all out national mobilization for the opening day of the RNC. Joe Iosbaker, a key organizer of May’s NATO Summit protest, summed up the key lessons of the Chicago demonstration. Tracy Molm of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression noted that the government would work to derail the planned protest. Angel Buechner, of the Twin Cites based Welfare Rights Committee stated that low-income people would join the Coalition’s march.

In break-out planning sessions, conference participants announced two national days of action to build for the August march in Florida.

On Monday, July 2, the Coalition to March on the RNC will hold a national call-in day to the City of Tampa demanding the right to march within sight and sound of the Convention on August 27. Then, on Friday, July 27, coalition partners will hold demonstrations, pickets and protests outside of local Republican Party headquarters or corporate sponsors of the Convention.

“The city of Tampa insists on restricting our right to protest the agenda of the Republican Party,” said Richard Blake, a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 385 and organizer with the Coalition to March on the RNC. “These days of action are as much about engaging new coalition partners across the country as they are about fighting these attempts to stifle free speech.”

The organizers’ conference closed with a short press conference on the University of South Florida campus. Energy is high as activists prepare to take these plans back to their communities and prepare for the historic march on the RNC on August 27.

#TampaFL #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCStopTheWar #RepublicanAgenda #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #RNC2012 #RepublicanNationalConvention2012

Tampa, FL – 50 people rallied in support of union postal workers outside U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's office, Sept. 27. Local Postal Service workers, along with members of the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), protested against the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. The Act is the cause of major debt and budget problems for the United States Postal Service. Congress, as a result, is pushing to stop all Saturday postal services. Saturday is the one day of the week that many working people can make it to the post office. If the Saturday postal service cuts happen, it will lead to layoffs and increase unemployment for postal workers.

Marisol Marquez of Tampa SDS stated, “Big business and the Republican Party in Congress are the ones attacking public services and the postal service, just like they are attacking public education. They claim the Postal Service is to blame for the budget problems, but the fact is they are setting them up to fail. The postal service was founded during the American Revolution and has never had a budget crisis up until now. The real problem is the rich and their puppets in Congress. They do not care about regular people.”

The protest brought together both workers and students. Statewide in Florida, students are fighting against massive budget cuts at their universities. SDS plans to protest against tuition hikes as high as 15% at universities across Florida, including a rally at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Oct. 4, at Cooper Hall. For both students and workers, the federal, state, and local budget crises are forcing them to fight back. The Sept. 27 rally ended with Representative Castor greeting the union workers outside and lending her support. She has signed on to help protect Saturday postal services and pledges to fight on workers’ behalf. Union workers and their allies, from Wisconsin to Florida, are becoming active in the fight back against budget cuts and privatization of social services, schools, and now, the U.S. postal service.

#TampaFL #postalWorkers #TampaBayStudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #PostalAccountabilityAndEnhancementActOf2006