Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

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By staff

Six people standing in front of a builiding.

Tampa, FL – On a loud and busy intersection in front of Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse on Friday morning, June 27, members of three groups – Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society – gathered to rally in solidarity with two Los Angeles activists targeted by the FBI for their political beliefs and for standing with their communities. They read statements in in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete.

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By Oliver Cheese

People in a crowd holding banners and signs.

Tallahassee, FL – On June 24, community members rallied at the Florida State Capitol to denounce the latest wave of U.S. and Israeli aggression in the Middle East. Called by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization the morning after the U.S. military launched an unprovoked attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, the protest brought together students and workers from across the city to condemn the U.S. attack and complicity with Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

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By staff

A group of protesters hold signs in front of federal courthouse that say, "Justice for Alejandro Orellana!" and "Drop the Charges!"

Jacksonville, FL – Chants of “Drop the charges!” echoed outside the federal courthouse Thursday, June 27, as dozens of protesters stood in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana, a Los Angeles immigrant rights organizer facing politically-motivated federal charges. The powerful demonstration coincided with Orellana's first scheduled court hearing since his June 12 arrest by FBI agents targeting his activism against ICE raids.

“Drop the charges on Alejandro. Stop the FBI witch hunt,” declared one speaker at the rally. “We just wanna be out here fighting for the same things that other people are fighting for.”

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By staff

A group of protesters in front of city hall.

Jacksonville, FL – On June 24, Mayor Donna Deegan made the decision to veto the anti-immigrant Ordinance 0138. This decision comes after a months-long campaign by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) that began back in February. Since the ordinance’s inception, local activists, immigrant families, faith leaders and many more provided testimony against this legislation.

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By Grisha Glozman

Orlando rally demands, "Drop the charges against Chris Gibson."

Orlando, FL – On Sunday, June 22, 15 community members rallied behind a local student activist, Chris Gibson. Gibson had been charged by the Orlando Police Department with “battery on a police officer,” a felony they allege occurred when he participated in a pro-Palestine rally on October 7, 2024.

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By Gage Lacharite

Tampa, FL – The picket line outside the Breakthru Beverages warehouse near Tampa, Florida stood strong Monday, June 23, despite intense summer heat and torrential daily thunderstorms.

Truck drivers for Breakthru Beverages in Florida entered their third week on strike last Friday as they continue their fight for union recognition and the return of their coworkers fired for union activity. 160 employees across the state walked out on May 30.

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By Christopher Sharpe and Justin Jordan

Tallahassee, FL- Students in Tallahassee marched to the Florida State University police headquarters on May 20 in a rally organized by Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society to demand that Florida State University end its negotiations to enter into the 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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By Justin Jordan

Attendees pose for a photo at the end of Pride event.

Tallahassee, FL- Tallahassee SDS hosted its annual pride talent show at The Bark on June 12. Members of the community were encouraged to share their talents in celebration of Tallahassee’s diverse queer community.

Queer community members came together to show solidarity in a state where the LGBTQ community has been increasingly under attack by the state government’s Republican supermajority. Several bills have been passed and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, including bans on gender-affirming care, removals of classes deemed “woke” due to the inclusion of LGBTQ history, and restrictions on the discussion of LGBTQ identities in the classrooms.

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By staff

People standing with signs and a megaphone.

Jacksonville, FL – Around 50 community members rallied outside the Duval County Courthouse on Friday, June 20, to demand Justice for Charles Faggart and police accountability. Organized by the family of Charles Faggart along with the Jacksonville Community Action Committee and Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, community members rallied almost two months after Faggart’s death at the hands of nine Jacksonville Sheriff Office’s (JSO) correctional officers.

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By Grisha Glozman

Demonstration against the Trump agenda in Orlando.

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, June 14, at least 6000 rallied outside of Orlando City Hall as part of the No Kings national day of action; several crowds spilled out into the surrounding streets. They rallied behind the slogan “We the people are pissed!” with a clear emphasis from protesters being placed on the ongoing campaign of raids being conducted by ICE, the continued repression and disenfranchisement of the LGBTQ community and women, as well as acting in direct opposition to the Trump administration itself.

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By staff

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.

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By staff

Opponents of a Jacksonville measure that criminalizes undocumented immigrants.

Jacksonville, FL — In a city already burdened by police violence, housing injustice and deepening inequality, the Jacksonville City Council voted late Tuesday night to pass Ordinance 2025-0138, a bill that criminalizes compassion and cuts off vital services to undocumented immigrants.

Despite overwhelming opposition from residents, legal experts, and community organizations, the council chose fear and scapegoating over justice.

Hours before the vote on June 10, over 50 demonstrators rallied outside City Hall for a press conference led by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA), the Florida Immigration Coalition, and a coalition of grassroots groups, including the Jacksonville Community Action Committee and Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

With signs raised high and chants echoing through downtown, protesters demanded an end to the city’s attacks on immigrants and a rejection of what they called a “Trump-style stunt” designed to punish children and families.

“Many of you are not leaders – you’re cowards,” one speaker told the council during public comment. “You arrest activists for demanding a free Palestine, you vote to destroy Black neighborhoods, and now you’re copying Trump’s cruelty to terrorize children. Shame on you.”

The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Rory Diamond, originally sought to ban all city funds from being used to support undocumented residents, including access to health care, domestic violence shelters, legal services, arts and cultural grants and even food programs. It also attacked children through proposed changes to the Kids Hope Alliance.

Though public pressure forced last-minute amendments to exempt children and select services, the core intent of the ordinance remained intact: to enshrine xenophobia into Jacksonville law and send a message of exclusion.

“While Diamond celebrates this cruelty, we see the truth. A desperate politician who had to gut his own bill to scrape together votes. Now these councilmembers own every consequence, children losing meals and tutoring, immigrant families being forced to seek care only at Shands, and crimes going unreported as entire communities are pushed deeper into the shadows,” said organizer Maria Garcia in a post-vote statement.

This betrayal isn’t happening in isolation. Across the country, immigrant communities are rising up against coordinated repression. In Los Angeles, a full-scale rebellion is underway, with thousands taking to the streets after federal raids and the arrest of labor leader David Huerta. Protesters there are confronting the same state violence we see in Jacksonville – policies that target immigrants, silence dissent and criminalize the basic fight for dignity.

“You’d rather jail protesters, deport parents, and let killers with badges walk free than lift a finger for affordable housing or safer streets,” said one organizer at Tuesday’s rally. “Jacksonville is sick of your hypocrisy.”

While the council was passing this ordinance, it continued to ignore a long list of crises: the beating death of Charles Faggart in JSO custody, the city’s skyrocketing housing crisis, and the daily violence faced by Black, immigrant and working-class communities. What it did prioritize was attacking undocumented families.

As the final vote passed late into the night, the gallery erupted in chants of “Shame!” and dozens of residents walked out of council chambers in disgust. Outside, the protest reignited under the streetlights, with organizers laying out the next steps: demand that Mayor Donna Deegan veto this dangerous and reactionary ordinance; organize to vote out every councilmember who backed it; and boycott businesses owned by those who supported it – including Mambo’s Cuban Café, owned by Councilmember Raul Arias Jr.

“Jacksonville sees through this charade,” Garcia said. “We’ll ensure these votes haunt every councilmember who sided with hate over their constituents.”

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #ImmigrantRights

By staff

Rally against the Trump agenda in Tallahassee, Florida.

Tallahassee, FL – On Saturday, June 14, thousands of people gathered at the Florida State Capitol building to show their opposition to the Trump administration. The No Kings protest – which was created by the 50501 movement – has over 1500 cities participating.

Protesters gathered to voice their outrage at the administration’s attacks on democratic rights, at violence against community members, and at the increasingly unchecked power of the president.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 people gathered in downtown Jacksonville on Monday, June 9, to stand in solidarity with Los Angeles, California and to stand up for immigrant rights. The rally was organized by 50501, Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance and other coalition partners.

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Por Cas Casanova

Manifestantes se unen en el Capitolio de Florida para protestar contra una redada de nota de ICE.  |  Foto: Ben Grant

Tallahassee, FL – El viernes, 30 de mayo, más de cuatrocientas personas se congregaron en el Capitolio de Florida para protestar una operación de escala grande realizada jueves, 29 de mayo, en un sitio de construcción en College Town, un barrio a pocas calles de la Universidad del Estado de Florida. La manifestación de emergencia fue llamada por la Alianza de Derechos de Inmigrantes de Tallahassee (TIRA).

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By Cas Casanova

Protesters gather at Florida Capitol to rally against a major ICE raid. 

Tallahassee, FL – On Friday, May 30, more than 400 people gathered at the Florida Capitol to protest a large-scale ICE operation carried out Thursday, May 29, on a construction site in College Town, a neighborhood a few streets away from Florida State University. The emergency protest was called by the Tallahassee Immigrant Rights Alliance (TIRA).

Speakers led the crowd, which spanned the entirety of the Capital complex, in chants such as “¡Aquí estamos, y no nos vamos!” and “Say it once, say it twice! We will not put up with ICE!”

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By Olivia Minor

Lain Dorsey. 

Tallahassee, FL – On Thursday, May 29, Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a press conference in support of member Lain Dorsey, who was arrested for protesting Florida State University’s platforming of white supremacists.

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By Anthony Renzetti

Orlando press conference demands justice for Tyrone Bartley. 

Orlando, FL – On May 25, family, loved ones, and the community of gathered for a press conference to demand justice for Tyrone Bartley – a 32 year old who was shot and killed in his own home by Orange County deputies during a botched SWAT raid on the afternoon of May 16.

The press conference, organized by Orlando Against Police Crimes, sought to correct the police narrative and hear directly from the family and other tenants of the house.

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By staff

Jacksonville, Florida protest demands release of activists arrested at city council meeting. 

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.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – Dozens gathered at Brentwood Park in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday evening for an event titled “Popular Education in the Park”. Brentwood Park is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Jacksonville’s historically Black community on the Northside of Jacksonville.

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