New Orleans, LA – On July 12, a dozen activists representing several organizations gathered on the steps of New Orleans City Hall to demand justice for the Tampa 5. That day, the five University of South Florida activists – Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro, Jeanie Kida and Chrisley Carpio – faced trumped up felony charges in a Tampa court. Protesters demanded the charges unjustly leveled by District Attorney Susan Lopez against the five be dropped.
Chicago IL – On July 12, despite heavy rain and tornado warnings, more than 50 people rallied in downtown Chicago to demand that the charges on the Tampa 5 be dropped. The protest was part of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression National Day of Action for The Tampa 5’s second court date.
Chicago, IL – Shon Barnes, Angel Novalez and Larry Snelling were nominated by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) as the next superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) on July 13 at Kennedy King College in the Englewood neighborhood. The Commission selected these three from 54 applicants through a 120-day process after the resignation of Superintendent David Brown, who was appointed by Mayor Lightfoot.
Seattle, WA – On July 12, a crowd of 30 activists and community members gathered in Denny Park to show solidarity with the Tampa 5 on the date of their second court appearance. This demonstration was one of many actions all over the country showing support for the five campus activists arrested in Tampa. The main demand is that all charges be dropped.
Fight Back! is circulating the following “Solidarity with the Tampa 5” resolution voted up by the union delegates to the West Central Florida Labor Council (WCFLC). President Jim Junecko of the WCFLC, AFL-CIO sent the resolution to Florida State’s Attorney Susan Lopez asking she direct Prosecutor Justin Diaz to drop the charges.Resolution in Solidarity with the Tampa 5
Tampa, FL– On July 12, a crowd of 50 people gathered at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. They were there to demand that DeSantis-appointed Florida State’s Attorney Susan Lopez and Florida State Prosecutor Justin Diaz drop the charges against the Tampa 5 – Chrisley Carpio, Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro and Jeanie Kida.
Washington, DC – On July 13, over 30 people gathered at the gates of the White House and joined at least 13 other cities in demanding, “Justice for the Tampa 5!” The Tampa 5 are five women from Tampa, Florida who were brutally arrested while staging a campus protest at the University of South Florida (USF).
Tallahassee, FL – On July 12, 20 students and community members rallied in front of Florida State University’s (FSU) Student Union to demand justice for the Tampa 5. Attendees chanted, “Free the Tampa 5!” “Protesting is not a crime. Drop the charges now!” and “No hate! No fear! Diversity is welcome here!”
Minneapolis, MN – 30 people gathered at Mayday Plaza on July 12 to demand that charges be dropped against the Tampa 5. This was also the day of the Tampa 5’s second court appearance. They chanted, “Justice for the Tampa 5! Down with Desantis! Protesting is not a crime!”
Boyle Heights, CA – On July 12, over 25 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza and joined the emergency and national day of action for the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are five women from Tampa who were brutally arrested while staging a peaceful protest at the University of South Florida (USF).
New York, NY – 20 activists held a solidarity rally at City Hall in Manhattan to demand that charges be dropped against the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are campus activists arrested for protesting the attacks on education by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The solidarity rally was part of a national day of action on July 12.
Jacksonville, FL – As part of a coordinated effort across the country, the activist community in Jacksonville stood in solidarity with the Tampa 5. On July 11, 65 people gathered in front of the Duval County Courthouse to demand legal charges be dropped against the four members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and a union worker who were arrested in early March. Laura Rodriguez, Gia Davila, Lauren Pineiro, Jeanie Kida and Chrisley Carpio are facing felony charges.
Fight Back! is circulating the following July 9 statement and call for a solidarity rally by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization in Orlando, Florida.
Milwaukee, WI – On July 6, elected alderpeople of the Milwaukee Common Council hosted a town hall regarding a city sales tax increase and other provisions around Wisconsin Act 12. Members of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) participated in the town hall and distributed general information about Act 12 to community members. Alderpeople from the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 15th Districts were present.
New Orleans, LA – June 28 at 8:30 a.m., a dozen people rallied outside the Hale Boggs Federal Building on Poydras Street with New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police (NOCOP). They demanded the New Orleans Police Department Consent Decree, the most expansive one in the nation, not be waived.
Chicago, IL- On July 6, news outlets reported that Chicago police officers allegedly sexually assaulted several asylum seekers who had been sleeping in the lobby of Chicago's 10th District police station. One of the asylum seekers, a teenager, was impregnated. The news prompted outrage from community members.
New Orleans – On June 24, members of New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police (NOCOP) hosted a community discussion on the New Orleans Police Department federal consent decree. About 20 people were in attendance at the Nora Navra Library. Independent Police Monitor of the New Orleans Police Department, Stella Cziment, shared information about the consent decree in light of the city’s attempts to terminate federal police oversight.
San Jose, CA – On June 26, around 35 people gathered at Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park in San Jose to honor political prisoner and American Indian Movement leader Leonard Peltier. The event was organized by Leonard Peltier Support Group Silicon Valley and Indian Health Center Silicon Valley on the 48th anniversary of the historic shootout at Oglala on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The rally was emceed by Donna Wallach, chair of Leonard Peltier Support Group Silicon Valley and longtime community organizer.
Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee organizations hosted their second annual People’s Independence Day on July 4. Partner organizations, led by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJAM) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), hosted a rally and march shedding light on the hypocrisy of July 4th and the United States’ unjustified claim of being the “nation of freedom.” The so-called “freedom” America claims to possess and “bestow” unto other nations is simply the freedom for the ruling class to oppress the working class, either domestically or internationally.
