Tampa, FL – On March 20, over 60 workers with the American Postal Worker Union (APWU) held a public demonstration in Tampa, Florida to bring awareness to attacks on the postal service. The Tampa APWU action was one of over 250 held across the country.

“The post office is not for sale, and it never will be!” chanted workers as they marched up and down the road handing out informational flyers to passing cars to raise awareness about the issue.

The right to a federal mail service is protected in the constitution, which means that its privatization would be illegal. Despite this, President Trump has been considering transferring U.S. Postal Service to the Department of Commerce and privatizing it, which would have the effect of cutting jobs and raising shipping costs. Privatizing the post office is only one of many attempts the president has made on public services, including his attacks on the Department of Education.

Postal workers with the National Association of Letter Carriers will be holding a similar national day of action to fight against privatization this Sunday, March 23.

#TampaFL #FL #Labor #APWU #USPS #Postal

Tampa, FL – Teamsters at 10 Roads Express, who are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have been on strike since February 18. The strike is a national effort which includes over 500 workers across eight states.

10 Roads Express is a trucking company which primarily contracts with the post office to carry mail. 10 Roads Express workers are on strike because they say that the company has refused to bargain in good faith with the union during their ongoing round of contract negotiations.

While the numbers are unknown, it is clear that the month-long ongoing strike has cost the employer vast sums of money already, and the Teamsters show no sign of giving up anytime soon and returning to work.

The company has offered the workers no wage increases in contract negotiations. Union members say that their wages are not competitive within the industry as they stand now.

The strike is nationwide, and on February 27 was expanded to include Tampa, Florida where workers are represented by Teamsters Local 79.

At a recent visit to the Tampa picket line, 10 Roads Express workers could be seen waving signs and marching along the entrance to the 10 Roads Express barn in a busy industrial area about a mile and a half north of the airport. Workers said that they have been inspired by the level of support received from others in the local trade union movement, and by example of the successful contact fight at UPS in 2023.

#TampaFL #FL #Labor #Teamsters

Tampa, FL – On March 12, Tampa Bay’s Students for a Democratic Society led a protest to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, who is under the threat of deportation as the U.S. pushes to revoke his green card.

Khalil is a Columbia University graduate who had participated in the nationwide pro-Palestinian encampments on his campus. He was arrested when ICE agents entered his home, taking him into custody in front of his wife, without his having been charged with any crime.

Khalil’s case is a clear threat to students and community who choose to participate in pro-Palestine protests, something the students of the University of South Florida are familiar with.

At the Tampa protest on Fowler Avenue, SDS member Joseph Charry spoke about his experience with USF. Charry was hit with a suspension from the university while out of the country, with FSU claiming he was responsible for the violence that occurred after police tear-gassed and arrested students during the nationwide solidarity encampments.

Charry stated, “At no point during my suspension process did any USF administration officials help me figure out what I should do, or what would happen to my student visa, or if I was effectively being deported from the country”

Charry was eventually forced to leave the country in September of 2024 to avoid any future complications. Charry was eventually able to return. He states, “Neither me nor Mahmoud or any other international student should be deported for standing up for Palestine”

A crowd of about 50 community members, including members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Tampa Bay Activist United, Party for Socialism and Liberation and others, joined students in a march in front of the University of South Florida with speeches demanding for the release of Khalil and the stop to the repression of pro-Palestinian solidarity actions under Trump.

As both the Trump administration and Universities crack down on what they deem “antisemitism” and “Hamas sympathizers,” these students remain steadfast in their support for the Palestinian community.

Tampa Bay SDS remains an expelled organization at USF; however the students say, “SDS will continue to fight on the right side of history.”

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #MahmoudKhalil #SDS

Tampa, FL – Around 80 people gathered in front of Tampa City Hall on Saturday, March 8, in honor of International Women’s Day and to rally against Trump’s reactionary policies.

The program featured a range of speeches. One speech denounced Trump’s attacks against immigrants, with the crowd chanting, “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!” Another speech emphasized the relationship between reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights, condemning Trump’s executive order banning gender affirming care for youth.

The protest was organized by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, with support from Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Tampa Activists United.

Once the crowd was at its peak, the protesters marched through downtown Tampa’s tourist-filled streets. The crowd’s anti-Trump chants echoed through downtown.

#TampaFL #FL #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay

Tampa, FL – On Wednesday, February 12, students and community members organized by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), gathered on 50th and Fowler, a location directly across the street from the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida (USF), to rally against Trump’s agenda.

They demanded that the USF administration protect transgender and queer students, protect immigrant and undocumented students, defend Black history programs, implement more diversity initiatives, and keep Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Connor Jaap of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society led chants, shouting, “Trans rights are human rights!” People nearby and passing cars honked and cheered as the protestors chanted, “When Black history is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

SDS previously launched a “Defend Diversity” campaign in response to the USF administration’s attacks on DEI, with demands to protect Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies, expanding Africana studies, and funding multicultural organizations.

USF administration continues to remain one of the most politically repressive universities in the country, where they punish, brutally attack and arrest students and community members who try to hold the USF administration accountable. Most recently, in response to this repression, Tampa Bay SDS launched its Title VI legal battle, a Civil Rights Act of 1964 discriminatory complaint, filed against USF for its discrimination against pro-Palestine students and groups.

Currently, with Trump’s presidency, the threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) places undocumented students at risk of deportation.

“We demand that USF not allow ICE on our campus!” Victoria Hinckley from Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society exclaimed, “Make USF a sanctuary campus for undocumented students!” As of February 14, USF administration refuses to speak out in support of protecting its immigrant and undocumented students on campus.

Despite USF’s continuous attempts to silence the opinions of its student body, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society continues to lead the struggle against the USF administration to regain its right to free speech and the right to organize with students.

#TampaFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #Trump #SDS

Tampa FL – On Tuesday, February 4, over 40 people came out to listen to a panel hosted by Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TAARPR) and led by the families who survived police crimes.

The event was part of a weeklong series of events that honor the life of Andrew Joseph III – a 14-year-old boy who was killed in traffic after he was kidnapped by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies in February 2014 – and the struggle for justice and accountability being fought in his name.

The panelists speaking were Deanna Joseph of Tampa, mother of Andrew Joseph III and board member of the Andrew Joseph Foundation; Kieanna Garrett of Lakeland, who is currently fighting her charges after being stalked for months then brutalized by Lakeland PD; and Jasmine Smith, a member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) , who flew from Chicago for the panel, and has been fighting to free her family and others who were wrongly incarcerated.

During the panel Joseph said “You don’t want to wait to be in the shoes that I’m in before you get involved. You don’t want it to knock on your door before you say, ‘enough is enough.’ You want to be at the forefront of whatever your passion is. Everybody should be doing something.”

One of the main fights of the Andrew Joseph Foundation is to end qualified immunity, which grants police and the officials surrounding them protection from the rule of law whenever they harm people in our communities.

“They are the criminals. The state attorneys and the judges and the police officers all have qualified immunity. They’re all protected by some type of qualified immunity where if they are to be caught up in corruption, they’re not being held accountable.” said Joseph.

In her time in CAARPR, Joseph played a role in helping pass the legislation which created a democratically elected board that is able to help decide police policy and leadership in the city of Chicago.

The panelists presented a message for greater police accountability and uniting to make that accountability a reality.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #KillerCops #NAARPR #TAARPR

Tampa, FL – On Wednesday, February 5, over 300 people gathered for a protest against Trump’s agenda at Tampa City Hall to demand an end to mass deportations and to defend women’s and LGBTQ rights.

Attendees held up signs reading, “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “Bans off our bodies!” as cars passed by and honked in support. The rally was organized by Tampa Activists United and went on for a few hours.

Members of organizations like Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Occupy Florida, and Voices of Florida attended gave speeches, leading chants such as “No fear, no hate, no deportations in our state!” and “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Donald Trump, go away!”

“It was incredible to see so many people activated across the nation for the 50501 protests. Tampa’s protest had hundreds in attendance brimming with energy, which clearly shows we will not stand idle while Trump attempts to enact his racist, anti-immigrant agenda,” stated Emma Rice, member of Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

As rallies against Trump’s agenda continue across the nation, Tampa will continue to fight for the rights of immigrants, women, LGBTQ and more!

#TampaFL #ImmigrantRights #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #TAU #SDS #TAARPR #OccupyFlorida #VoicesofFlorida

Tampa, FL – Over 100 Chicanos and immigrants gathered at the corner of 56th and Fowler on Monday, February 3, in protest of Trump’s attacks on immigrant communities. This rally was organized by a community member.

People held signs reading “Immigrants make America great,” “Viva la raza” and “Chinga la migra.” The crowd, waving Mexican, Honduran, Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Nicaraguan flags, marched from corner to corner of 56th and Fowler.

Members of local organizations including the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TAARPR) and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society attended, leading chants like “El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido” and “Sí se puede.”

Participants as well as passersby drove by in cars waving flags, honking to show support, and playing Latino music.

Yunqing Zheng from the TAARPR said, “Trump’s attacks on immigrants are clearly racially motivated, and it’s great to see immigrants all across America are taking to the streets to say no to Trump and loudly and proudly unite and defend each other. Immigrants are here to stay, and we will fight back against any and all attacks from Trump.”

This rally lasted for hours and made it clear that not only are immigrants welcome in Tampa Bay but that immigrants and their allies will continue to fight for their rights.

#TampaFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #NAARPR #Trump #SDS

Yun Zheng, a member of the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, noted the irony of Trump’s inauguration coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, stating “What better way to honor the legacy of MLK than by fighting for justice? When Trump comes for one of us, he will have to deal with all of us.”

Speeches highlighted how Trump’s presidency means further attacks on women’s and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, worker’s rights and immigrants’ rights.

“Attacks on immigrants’ rights are attacks on workers’ rights,” said Gage Lacharite, a rank-and-file Teamster and UPS driver. “Trump threatens public sector workers, the largest sector of unionized workers in America. In Florida we already know that’s on the chopping block because Governor Ron Desantis passed legislation decertifying most public sector unions in Florida.”

There is a precedent that the reactionary policies in Florida represent the future that Republicans want for the whole country. Florida, along with Texas, was one of the first states to unconstitutionally ban the right to an abortion, which eventually led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Speaking on Trump’s foreign policy, Joseph Charry, a member of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, said “Trump not only wants to continue the U.S. trend of endless wars, but expand on it by threatening countries like Mexico and Venezuela with military interventions in the middle of his racist rants.”

The protest was organized by the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society. It was endorsed by Starbucks Workers United, Friends of Human Rights, Florida Student Power Network, and the People’s Pride Coalition.

#TampaFL #FL #PeoplesStruggles #ImmigrantRights #WomensMovement #Trump #NAARPR

Tampa, FL – On Christmas Eve, about 15 current and former Starbucks workers and their supporters picketed the Starbucks store on the corner of N Dale Mabry Highway and Linebaugh Avenue. Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) started an unfair labor practice strike on December 20 at a few locations across the country, building to a strike at all unionized stores. Tampa’s unionized store joined the picket line on day four.

“Starbucks has yet to remedy several hundreds of unfair labor practices, and then they also came with a very poor economic package in bargaining, so they started bad faith bargaining with us,” said Blake Smallen, a Starbucks worker and member of Starbucks Workers United.

Starbucks initially offered unionized workers a one percent wage increase, then they upped the offer to one-and-a-half percent. If the union accepted this offer, it would mean a raise of less than 50 cents for most workers.

Standing in front of the drive-thru entrance, picketers chanted, “No contract, no coffee!” and held signs with the SBWU logo.

“Starbucks doesn’t exist without worker labor,” Smallen added.

#TampaFL #FL #SBWU #Starbucks #Strike

Tampa, FL – On December 19 and 20, UPS workers represented by Teamsters Local 79 and supportive community members attended a picket in Ruskin, Florida in support of Amazon workers who are fighting to form a union across the United States. Amazon workers say they are organizing to win job protection and benefits as well as a seat at the bargaining table.

Throughout the 24-hour pickets, at least 15 supporters were in attendance to show their solidarity.

“We are standing in solidarity with our fellow workers. Corporate America has shown us time and time again that they are going to put the interest of their bottom line over human life and wellbeing,” said Alvin McGary, a UPS driver and steward who was in attendance at the picket. McGary added, “Amazon drivers have spoken out saying that they even fear having to stop to use the bathroom, having to leave the line they worry they will lose their jobs. Amazon drivers deal with ridiculous production quotas. We have them at UPS too but we are protected by the union.”

The pickets were part of a large, coordinated day of pickets around the country and strikes in four cities in California. Other strikes are underway at the UPS location in Atlanta, Georgia as well as Skokie, Illinois.

#TampaFL #Labor #Teamsters #TeamstersLocal79

“It is clear that political repression at USF is directly tied to our support and activism around Palestine and DEI initiatives. While we are filing this with the Office of Civil Rights, we know that the power lies in the hands of the people,” said Connor Jaap of Tampa Bay SDS in a statement read out to the gathering.

The complaint was filed through the Office of Civil Rights in response to the University of South Florida discriminating against Palestinians and pro-Palestine solidarity, a direct violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The USF administration, including Rhea Law, Danielle McDonald, and Will Weatherford, have continuously retaliated and fostered a hostile environment against Palestinians and pro-Palestine student activists, including members of Tampa Bay SDS.

Tampa Bay SDS demands that USF reverse the expulsion of Tampa Bay SDS, and reinstate Tampa Bay SDS as an official registered student organization, remedy the direct harm that the USF administration has caused students by reversing any expulsion, suspension and conduct charges against Tampa Bay SDS members, disclose all investments and divest from all companies that are connected to the Israeli Zionist state, and to drop policy 6-028, a policy that is specifically retaliatory, anti-Palestinian and anti-SDS.

Tampa Bay SDS will continue to organize around the Title VI and its developments and around the ongoing struggle against USF administration and their continuous and political repression directed at the Palestinian cause.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech

Tampa, FL – On December 16, around 100 supporters from across the country rallied at the Sam M. Gibbons Federal Courthouse in Tampa, Florida for the sentencing hearing of the Uhuru 3: Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel. In September, the Uhuru 3 were found not guilty of acting as unregistered agents of the Russian government but were unfairly convicted of “conspiracy” to act as unregistered agents of the Russian government.

Prosecutors were pushing for five years of prison time and $250,000 fines for the Uhuru 3. Instead, U.S. District Judge William Jung sentenced them to 36 months of probation, 300 hours of community service, no jail time and no fines. As soon as the judge left the courtroom, the packed courthouse broke into applause and continued their celebration outside with chants of “Not one day, not one dime!”

“When they indicted us, they expected us to fold. They expected us to run or to take a plea, which is mainly how they achieve their 99% conviction rate in federal criminal cases,” said Jainabah Lumumba, the southern regional representative of the African People’s Socialist Party and granddaughter of Yeshitela. “We didn’t fold, we didn’t run, we didn’t hide, we didn’t take a plea to confess to something we didn’t do.”

Inside the courthouse, Judge Jung stated that the Uhuru 3’s statements had been protected speech. “If you listen to what the judge had to say, he said what our lawyers have been saying all along,” said Yeshitela. “Our lawyers have said that we shouldn’t be here. Our lawyers have said that even if this thing goes to trial, it’s an assault, a major assault on the First Amendment.”

After the verdict, a summation and rally were held at the Uhuru House in Saint Petersburg where Attorney Angela Reaney indicated that the Uhuru 3’s legal team will be submitting an appeal of the conspiracy conviction.

#TampaFL #Uhuru3 #PoliticalRepression

Tampa, FL – On Monday, November 25, a group of students and community members held a rally to demand free speech on campus. The University of South Florida’s (USF) administration continues to deny students the right to free speech and assembly, with police saying they cannot hold events or even leaflet.

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) are demanding that USF stop the repression and drop USF policy 6-028. This new policy, introduced by the USF administration in the summer, puts limits on campus events, requires administration approval of protests, bans bake sales, and launches other attacks on students’ free speech.

In particular the students are demanding the right to protest the U.S./Israel genocide in Gaza.

Students chanted, “When the student movement is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Signs read, “Protect free speech on campus” and a banner reading, “Defend student protests for Palestine.”

This rally was organized after the formal university hearings for Saba Indawala and another student, who were both placed on interim suspension after an October 1 “Defend Free Speech on Campus” rally. In a victory to the student movement in Tampa Bay, both of their interim suspensions were lifted, allowing them to return to campus.

Members from Tampa Bay SDS, as well as the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, spoke out against the policies, the repression and the violence that the USF administration continues to enact on student activists.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS

Tampa, FL – On Friday, November 22, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a rally to say no to Trump as part of National SDS’s Day of Action on November 19 against Trump’s agenda.

Sixteen students and community members gathered to demand to protection of immigrants, free Palestine, and support for trans students. During the rally, protesters chanted “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Donald Trump go away!” and “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!”

“Donald ​ Trump spent $95 million on his election advertising this cycle and 41% of that was spent not on advertising issues like the economy, or housing, or even immigration. No, Donald Trump spent damn near $40 million on demonizing [trans] people,” said Connor Jaap of Tampa Bay SDS in a speech demanding more support for trans students.

After speeches protesters marched around the block, shouting chants like “When trans students are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Attendees included members of Tampa Democratic Socialists of America, Sunrise Tampa, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

As Trump’s presidency begins and continues, Tampa Bay SDS will continue to organize and fight against his reactionary agenda.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #DSA #NAARPR #FRSO #SDS

In 2023, Senate Bill 256 passed in the state of Florida. SB 256 is among the most anti-union labor laws in the country and effectively decertifies any unionized bargaining unit in the public sector that does not meet a bar of at least 60% dues-paying membership. The bill also makes it harder for workers to pay their dues by banning voluntary automatic payroll reduction.

Until recently, the USF workers were represented by AFSCME Local 3342 but now are among 68,000 public employees who have since lost their unions in Florida since the law passed. With the loss of unions, public-sector employees have no avenue to prevent privatization or changes to their employers’ and terms of employment. The aftermath for the 355 USF workers from SB 256 decertifying the AFSCME bargaining unit is unknown.

USF claims that it will save $320 million in costs over the life of the 15-year contract with Compass, and it is offering a signing bonus to workers who decide to transition to the new company. However, those who make the switch to Compass will lose their state pension retirement plan, which requires being a state employee. Additionally, the future of these workers’ pay is up to the Compass Group to decide unilaterally, now that the workers have no union. At the same time as the workers futures are uncertain, USF spent $47 million on a signing bonus with Southeast Services Corporation, a Compass Group subsidiary.

Since the loss of their unions last year under the new law, it is reported that around 2000 USF employees will no longer have collective bargaining rights to fight for higher pay, their pension, or their job protections. Another effect is that, with no union, the workers had no advance warning of the deal with the Compass Group and no way to stop it or bargain over effects on terms and conditions of employment if they wanted to do so.

#TampaFL #FL #Labor #AFSCME #Feature

Tampa, FL – In response to Trump’s recent election, on November 9 the Tampa community took a stand against Trump and his racist policies. Dozens of community members showed up to raise their voices on such topics as LGBTQ rights, abortion rights, police crimes and more.

With the ongoing genocide in Gaza led by the Biden administration and this most recent election, many people are starting to see that they cannot rely on the Democrats and instead are standing alongside their communities against Trump’s racist agenda. Led by the Tampa Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (TAARPR), the people voiced the need for fighting back, while rallying on the steps of City Hall.

While Trump was the main focus, more local politicians such as cop Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Council and Governor Ron DeSantis were also targeted due to their attacks on the people. Tampa’s Citizens Review Board (CRB) serves to review police misconduct and is the only bit of accountability the people have over Tampa Police Department. Mayor Castor and her allies have been working for years to tear the CRB apart, aligning with the Trump agenda to grant complete immunity to the police when they assault and murder Black and brown folks.

As the rally went on, a member of Student for a Democratic Society (SDS) spoke about student protester repression at the University of South Florida.

A speaker from the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund denounced the failure to pass Amendment 4, which would have defended abortion rights in the state of Florida, despite earning 57% of the vote.

A speaker from AARPR told the crowd about the brutal assault on local pastor Carl Soto by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Victoria Hinkley, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, spoke about how, “the only way we step into our real power is by getting organized.”

Yet despite these injustices, all these groups and more are ready to fight, and they are ready to win because they know they are stronger than their enemy. The call was made to join an organization that fights in the streets for political rights, and most attendees signed up to do just that.

#TampaFL #FL #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #SDS

More than a dozen people gathered to call for code of conduct charges to be dropped on student protesters like Saba Indawala, who was temporarily suspended by USF for being an SDS member, and SDS members Kinsey Dyal, Vicky Tong, and Daniel Mendez, who were hit with conduct charges three weeks after attempting to protest on campus on October 1.

Protesters rallied with the slogans “Defend the right to protest the genocide in Gaza,” “Stop the suspension of Saba Indawala,” “Drop the conduct charges on student protesters” and “Down with policy 6-028,” a new policy introduced by USF’s administration in the summer that puts limits on campus events, requires administration approval of protests, bans bake sales, and launches other attacks on students’ free speech.

USF SDS member Vicky Tong stated, “All three of us were interrogated, and they were trying to force us to say we were not affiliated with SDS, and they said that if we were, we would have to go through a formal hearing. They manipulated all of us into giving answers the USF administration wanted to hear.”

Tong also explained how administration forced Kinsey Dyal to choose between a hearing advisor and an accessibility officer, and after choosing an accessibility officer, instead of aiding them, the officer interrogated and pressured them into giving certain answers. Thankfully, the protesters were told only to write essays as punishment, but not before having been mocked and bullied by the USF administration.

Other organizations which shared statements included Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which stood in solidarity with student protesters and with Tampa Bay SDS, chanting: “USF shame on you, student voices matter too!”

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #SDS #PoliticalRepression #FreeSpeech #Palestine

Tampa, FL – On October 26, at 5 p.m., 25 students and community members held a rally near campus to defend free speech on campus. The rally was held in response to the University of South Florida (USF)'s escalated political repression of the student movement, where administration has expelled Victoria Hinckley, suspended Saba Indawala, and deported Joseph Charry, all organizers with Students for a Democratic Society, for their solidarity with Palestine.

Students and community members gathered to demand that USF drop the conduct charges on Saba Indawala, defend the right to protest the genocide in Gaza, and stop policy 6-028, a recently amended policy that heavily represses students’ rights to free speech on USF’s campuses.

USF administration, continuing with its repression of the student movement, recently placed conduct charges on SDS members and student protesters Vicky Tong, Kinsey Dyal and Daniel Mendez for organizing a SDS protest for free speech on October 1. More than three weeks after the protest, the USF administration has placed bogus charges such as “failure to comply” and violation of “university policy.”

Student organizations spoke in solidarity with the local student movement, with a speaker from the Pan-African Party stating, “As a student organization ourselves, it’s important we use our voice, our power, our organization for the benefit of the people.” Other student organizations voiced their support for the student movement, stating that it was shameful that USF continues to stifle and prevent student voices from being heard.

A member of Tampa Democratic Socialists of America said that the USF administration, “should be ashamed of themselves. Rhea Law, Dean McDonald and Melissa Graham, you're all complicit! Shame!”

Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society was joined by Bulls Dabke, Pan-African Party, and Triota Women's and Gender Studies Honor Society. Community organizations present included Tampa Democratic Society of America, Sunrise Tampa, New Era Young Lords, Food Not Bombs, and Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech

Tampa, FL – El jueves 10 de octubre, el abogado Leonard Goodman presentó una moción posterior al juicio en nombre de los Uhuru 3 – Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess y Jesse Nevel – pidiendo al juez William Jung una “sentencia absolutoria por el cargo de conspiración” o un nuevo juicio por ese cargo.

En el veredicto contradictorio de septiembre, los Uhuru 3 fueron declarados no culpables de actuar como agentes no registrados del gobierno ruso, pero fueron condenados injustamente por “conspiración” para actuar como agentes no registrados del gobierno ruso.

Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess y Jesse Nevel declararon victoria al derrotar la acusación del gobierno de que su trabajo de luchar por reparaciones, justicia y paz para la comunidad negra se llevaba a cabo bajo la dirección y control de un gobierno extranjero. “Nosotros trabajamos para la gente negra, no para Rusia”, dijo Yeshitela.

#TampaFL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3