Jacksonville, FL – Activists, some coming from as far away as California, converged on the Duval County Courthouse bright and early on Jan. 27. Hopes were high, as Marissa Alexander was due for another day in court and faced the possibility of being released from jail.

Jacksonville police union president was a close ally of State Attorney Angela Corey

Jacksonville, FL – Despite pleading guilty to several charges in a federal racketeering investigation, Nelson Cuba, the former president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), will spend no time behind bars. On Jan. 6, Cuba pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor and two third-degree felonies for his role in an illegal $300 million gambling operation. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester sentenced Cuba to one year of house arrest and a mere four years of probation, in addition to imposing several fines.

Chicago, IL – Organizers of the nationwide effort to get justice for longtime Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh are urging an all-out mobilization for Odeh’s sentencing in Detroit Federal Court on the morning of March 12. Odeh is facing deportation and up to ten years in jail on a trumped-up immigration charge.

Doral, FL- In spite of pouring rain, nearly 70 people took to the streets near Miami, Jan. 11 demanding the immediate closure of the U.S. prisons at Guantanamo Bay. The march took place on the 13th anniversary since the prison doors at Guantanamo Bay Detention center first opened. Protesters marched for over a mile on the busy streets of South Florida’s industrial district until they arrived at the gates of U.S. Southern Command, the headquarters and control center for Guantanamo Bay.

Salt Lake City, UT – Just eight days into 2015, the first fatal police shooting has already occurred in Utah. James Dudley Barker was shot in the Salt Lake City Avenues neighborhood where he owned a home. Barker was going door to door, a block from his own home, to see if people wanted to hire him to remove snow. As recorded on body camera video, a police officer confronts Barker claiming that “a couple of people called about you” and “you are suspicious in the neighborhood.” After a two-minute conversation, the officer escalates the situation saying, “You can be arrested for failure to give your information.” Barker responds getting louder and pointing, then suddenly the officer lunges and attempts to grab Barker. Barker swings the plastic snow shovel in his hands, hitting the police officer.

Salt Lake City, UT – Utah Against Police Brutality rang in the New Year with a rally here at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building. Around 50 people braved the freezing temperatures to hear speeches against the ongoing police brutality in the U.S. In the state of Utah, police murders are outpacing those committed by drug dealers, gang members and child abusers.

Miami, FL – Following the recent CIA torture report, determined activists in Florida are gearing up for the annual march and protest to shut down the U.S. torture prison at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. Anti-war leaders expect hundreds will protest outside the gates of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Jan. 11 in Doral, Florida, which is located near Miami. Notable speakers from across the country include Nancy Mancias of CodePink!, Camilo Mejia of Veterans for Peace and Holly Kent-Payne of Chicago with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 29, a local judge delayed the court dates for several of the Jacksonville 19. All 19 were protesting the killing of Eric Garner by New York police and were arrested for blocking a major bridge. Judge Michelle Khalil granted a request by the lawyer for several of the protesters change their arraignment to Jan. 13, 2015.

Salt Lake City, Utah – 100 people who came out to support the police were met with a counter-protest organized by Utah Against Police Brutality. In Utah, police murders are outpacing murders committed by drug dealers, gang members and child abusers. The pro-police rally was organized in the middle of the work day by well-off whites who had Utah District Attorney Sean Reyes come to address them.

Milwaukee, WI – Hundreds of people rallied in downtown here, Dec. 22, after District Attorney John Chisholm released his decision to not pursue charges against former Milwaukee police officer, Christopher Manney, in the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton last April.

Durham, NC – About 60 people marched to the Durham police headquarters, Dec. 19, to protest attacks by Durham riot police on peaceful protesters in recent weeks. The march kicked off with the chanting of Assata Shakur's words, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains!”

Activists demand State Attorney Angela Corey return all belongings and 'Drop the Charges Now'

Jacksonville, FL – On Dec. 15, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office returned some of the phones they seized from the 19 protesters who shut down the Hart Bridge last week.

Ogden, UT – On a wet and cold Dec. 13, protesters gathered at the Ogden City courthouse to demand an end to police brutality in Utah and all across the U.S. In Utah, police murders are outpacing murders committed by drug dealers, gang members and child abusers. In the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, police killed Dillon Taylor and Darrien Hunt in Utah. People have had enough.

Jacksonville, FL – 19 protesters arrested for shutting down the Hart Bridge in Jacksonville were released from jail on Dec. 9.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Rasmea Defense Committee

‘Free the Jax Justice Fighters’

Jacksonville, FL – Nearly 20 protesters were arrested by Jacksonville police for blocking afternoon traffic on the Hart Bridge on Dec. 8. The protesters staged the demonstration in response to the recent decision by a New York grand jury to not indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo whose choking of Eric Garner, an African American man, led to his to death.

Gainesville, FL – 150 students participated in a die-in, called for by the University of Florida’s chapter of Dream Defenders, Dec. 5, to protest ongoing police brutality in the U.S. After the decision to not indict the NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo who murdered Eric Garner, protests gained speed all over the U.S.

Minneapolis, MN – Over 200 high school students from Patrick Henry, Hopkins and South High Schools came together here, Dec. 7, to protest racist police killings and the failure to indict the cops who killed Mike Brown and Eric Gardner. The students started at the steps of the Minneapolis Public Library with speeches and spoken word.

Kirksville, MO – Only a three-hour drive from Ferguson is Kirksville, Missouri, home to Truman State University (TSU). On Dec. 5, students walked out on the last day of regular classes to demonstrate against racist police violence in Missouri and throughout the country. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Amnesty International organized the protest with help from the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma and other student activists.