Orlando, FL – On March 16, over 50 people gathered at Lake Ellenor Park to celebrate the life of Luis Lopez and to demand justice for his murder. Attendees watched Lopez’s team win their soccer match before gathering for a vigil and press conference.

Luis Lopez was murdered by the Orange County officers in his own home on February 8. The police were called by a neighbor and friend Loida Zunun during a reported home invasion. Officers Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz arrived on the scene and shot Luis through a window while yelling “drop the knife.”

“We have come here to this exact place today, to remember the life of Luis Lopez because this is where he spent so much of his time, and by all accounts he should be here today,” said Cassia Laham. The local community gathered wearing shirts that read “Justice for Luis Lopez.” A number of speeches were given by various members of the community, including Luis’ friends and teammates.

Edmund Anglero, a member of Orlando Against Police Crimes, stated, “Now that the names of the officers and the bodycam footage have been released, we call on State Attorney Monique Worrell to press charges against the officers who killed Luis: Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz.”

In a letter to State Attorney Worrell, Orlando Against Police Crimes demands justice, stating, “While steps towards transparency have been made with the releasing of the names and bodycam videos of the officers responsible for Luis’ killing, there is yet to be any form of accountability. Orlando Against Police Crimes, in unison with friends and loved ones close to Luis, and the broader community call on you to charge officers Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz with murder. We demand that you stand with the community in our calls for justice and accountability!”

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem

Orlando, FL – On March 8, the Orlando district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a spoken word and trivia fundraiser to commemorate International Women’s Day and gather the Orlando community in the face of recent attacks on women. The slogans raised at the event were “Defend Women’s and Reproductive Rights,” “Stand with the Women of Palestine” and “Stop the Deportations! Keep Families Together.”

Cassia Laham, member of FRSO Orlando, kicked off the event by explaining the history of International Women’s Day and the current situation of women stating, “Today, women of all sectors of society face renewed attacks by the forces of reaction, with Trump and his cabinet full of abusers and women-haters leading the charge against our rights.” She continued, “Just as we fought before, we will fight again!”

Other speakers focused on varied topics. Rasha Mubarak of Florida Palestine Network spoke of the struggle of Palestinian women, and two teenage organizers with the Farmworkers Association of Florida discussed the impact of deportations on their community. Chants of “When immigrant rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” rang throughout the building.

Vanessa Christaldi of the University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society read a poem focused on the ownership of one’s body and the inspiration of women resistance fighters. “What is the right way to have a body? And more importantly, what is the right way to assert that I am more than that?” She ended her poem with an acknowledgment that all of the rights women have today, both domestically and internationally are won through struggle, not simply given.

After the speeches, an International Women’s Day-themed trivia, hosted by Sarah of Feisty Trivia, was held with proceeds going to the Palestinian Motherhood Society. The Florida Palestine Network sold tatreez with proceeds also going to the Palestinian Motherhood Society. The total fundraised was announced as $920, with cheers from the audience.

The co-sponsoring organizations were the Florida Palestine Network (FPN), the University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society (UCFSDS), The End to Genocide Coalition (ETGC), The Farmworkers Association of Florida (FWAF), and the Palestinian Feminist Collective (PFC). The trivia was led by Sarah of Feisty Trivia, Orlando's Only Female-Owned Trivia Company. The event was a broad multi-generational event filled with community members and organizers commemorating International Women’s Day.

#OrlandoFL #FL #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS #FPN #FRSO #ETGC #PFC

On Thursday, March 6, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office released the bodycam footage detailing the events that took place on the evening of February 8, 2025 resulting in murder of 26-year old Luis Lopez by Orange County deputies.

 Around 11:30 pm, officers arrived at the scene in the Pine Castle neighborhood upon reports of a burglary in progress. The bodycam footage shows that both dispatch and the officers on scene had knowledge that a Spanish interpreter was being used to communicate. One officer found signs of forced entry at the front entrance of the home. At least two officers then entered the backyard and found a ladder propped underneath an open window that the intruder, a disgruntled coworker, had used to enter the home.

 In the video, Luis can be clearly heard shouting “No, no, no!” and “¡Ayuda!” or “Help!” in Spanish. A few moments later, Luis was seen from the window holding the intruder in a headlock. The officers ordered him to “drop the knife,” multiple times in English, a language which Luis did not speak. They each fired a round from their handguns, striking Luis in the head and killing him. No knife was found at the scene.

 Orlando Against Police Crimes strongly condemns the unjust murder of Luis Lopez. We demand that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office release the names of the officers responsible for Luis’ murder. Additionally, we demand State Attorney Monique H. Worrell to press criminal charges against the offending officers.

 Orlando Against Police Crimes is working alongside the friends and family of Luis Lopez to organize a memorial vigil at Lake Ellenor Park on Sunday, March 16 at 2 pm. The vigil will be an opportunity to honor his memory, demand accountability, and call for justice. For more information, visit https://orlandoapc.org

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #KillerCops #OAPC #NAARPR

¡Lucha y Resiste! servicio noticial esta circulando la siguiente comunicado de Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales

El jueves 6 de marzo, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange publicó las imágenes de la cámara corporal que detallan los eventos que tuvieron lugar la noche del 8 de febrero de 2025 y que resultaron en el asesinato de Luis López, de 26 años, a manos de agentes del Condado de Orange.

Alrededor de las 11:30 p.m., los agentes llegaron al lugar en el vecindario de Pine Castle ante informes de un robo en progreso. Las imágenes de la cámara corporal muestran que tanto el despacho como los oficiales en la escena sabían que se estaba utilizando un intérprete de español para comunicarse. Un oficial encontró señales de entrada forzada en la entrada principal de la casa. Luego, al menos dos agentes entraron al patio trasero y encontraron una escalera apoyada debajo de una ventana abierta que el intruso, un compañero de trabajo descontento, había usado para entrar a la casa.

En el video se puede escuchar claramente a Luis gritar “¡No, no, no!” y “¡Ayuda!” o “¡Ayuda!” en español. Unos momentos después, se vio a Luis desde la ventana sujetando al intruso con una llave de cabeza. Los agentes le ordenaron “soltar el cuchillo” varias veces en inglés, un idioma que Luis no hablaba. Cada uno de ellos disparó una bala con sus pistolas, alcanzando a Luis en la cabeza y matándolo. En el lugar no se encontró ningún cuchillo.

Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales condena enérgicamente el injusto asesinato de Luis López. Exigimos que la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange dé a conocer los nombres de los oficiales responsables del asesinato de Luis. Además, exigimos a la fiscal estatal Monique H. Worrell que presenta cargos penales contra los agentes infractores.

Orlando Against Police Crimes está trabajando junto con los amigos y familiares de Luis López para organizar una vigilia conmemorativa en Lake Ellenor Park el domingo 16 de marzo a las 2 pm. La vigilia será una oportunidad para honrar su memoria, exigir rendición de cuentas y pedir justicia. Para más información, visite https://orlandoapc.org/es

#OrlandoFL #InJusticeSystem #LuisLopez #OAPC

El Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste! está circulando el siguiente comunicado de Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales sobre el asesinato de Luis López, publicado originalmente en inglés el 13 de febrero de 2025.

Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales condena enérgicamente el asesinato de Luis López, de 24 años, a manos de agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange la noche del sábado 8 de febrero en el vecindario de Pine Castle.

Los agentes llegaron tras recibir reportes de un robo en una casa. En una declaración para WFTV, una amiga cercana de López, Loida Zunun, dijo: “Un tipo estaba tratando de entrar a su casa y llamó a mi mamá”, dijo Zunun. “Él tenía miedo y nos dijo, oye, hay alguien tratando de meterse a mi casa”.

Al llegar, los agentes encontraron a López defendiéndose con un cuchillo. Los oficiales le dispararon y López fue declarado muerto después de ser transportado a un hospital local.

Los dos agentes que se presentaron a la escena, incluido el policía asesino, permanecen en licencia administrativa con goce de sueldo. El Departamento de Aplicación de la Ley de Florida (FDLE) está investigando actualmente el caso, y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange llevará a cabo su propia investigación una vez que concluya. Sin embargo, debido al debilitamiento y eliminación de juntas de revisión sin poder real, como resultado de legislación respaldadas por los republicanos, como el Proyecto de Ley 601 de la Cámara de Representantes (House Bill 601), falta un vehículo para una revisión civil independiente y una rendición de cuentas genuina.

“Él simplemente se estaba protegiendo. No veo otra manera. Pidió ayuda y nosotros estábamos tratando de ayudarlo. No merecía esto”, afirmó Zunun.

La familia está recaudando fondos para los gastos del funeral y para llevar a Luis de regreso a su país de origen, México, puedes donar haciendo clic aquí. https://www.gofundme.com/f/ffeanm-luis-lopez?attribution_id=sl:f554e4a6-fc4c-4eb4-ba67-f224016957a8&lang=es_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

¡Justicia para Luis López!

¡Encarcelen a los policías asesinos!

¡Control comunitario de la policía ya!

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by Orlando Against Police Crimes.

Orlando Against Police Crimes strongly condemns the murder of 24-year old Luis Lopez by Orange County deputies on the night of Saturday, February 8th in the Pine Castle neighborhood.

Officers arrived following reports of a burglarized home. In a statement to WFTV, a close friend of Lopez, Loida Zunun, said “Some guy was trying to get in his house, and he called my mom,” Zunun said. “He was scared, and he told us, hey, there’s somebody trying to come inside my house.”

Upon arrival, officers found Lopez defending himself with a knife. The deputies fired on Lopez and he was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

The two deputies who reported to the scene, including the killer cop remain on paid administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the case and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own investigation upon its completion. However, due to the weakening and elimination of already-toothless review boards resulting from Republican-backed legislation like House Bill 601, there lacks a vehicle for independent civilian review and genuine accountability.

“He was just protecting himself. I don’t see another way. He asked for help, and we were trying to help him. He didn’t deserve this,” stated Zunun.

Orlando Against Police Crimes will be mobilizing to the upcoming Orange County Sheriff's Office Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on February 13 to demand justice for Luis Lopez. The family is raising funds for funeral expenses to bring Luis back to his home country of Mexico, you can donate by clicking here.

Justice for Luis Lopez!

Jail the killer cops!

Community control now!

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #KillerCops #OAPC

Orlando, FL – On January 20, organizations from around Central Florida rallied to protest the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.

Jacob Muldoon, district organizer of the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “We are here to begin the resistance to an agenda trying to take each of us down, from students and labor organizers to women and anti-war protesters.”

The group began with chants of “They say go back, we say fight back!” and transitioned into speeches by local organizers on how they will be fighting against the Trump agenda.

A member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society stated, “Thus, our focus should not be only Trump himself, but how he has emboldened universities, including our own UCF, to limit student rights in order to fit their own agenda. Just this year the UCF board of trustees moved to not only pass anti-trans policies on campus, but also multiple anti-protesting regulations on campus, as a response to the pro-Palestine encampments of Spring 2024.”

“What's particularly insidious about Donald Trump is how much he always has and continues to tout himself as an anti-war candidate,” said Cassia Laham from Orlando for Peace and the United National Antiwar Coalition. “We must continue demanding justice in Palestine, demanding the U.S. stop arming and funding the genocidal Israeli state, and demanding a world without U.S. wars.”

Edmund Anglero from Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) talked about the connection between the Trump agenda and local police agencies, stating, “Racist trigger-happy cops patrolling our community will be more willing to take someone’s life without fear of any repercussions. This is why we need to fight for police accountability, especially after the city dissolved the Civilian Police Review Board.”

The rally ended safely with a final chant of “Hey hey ho ho, the Trump agenda has got to go!”

The protest was led by the Orlando district of FRSO, alongside Orlando for Peace, UCF Students for a Democratic Society, Central Florida Queers for Palestine, American Party of Labor, Orlando DSA, Space Coast DSA, and Revolutionary Marxists of Orlando.

#OrlandoFL #SDS #FRSO #DSA #UCF #QueersforPalestine #Trump #Inauguration #OAPC #CPRB

The actions included week-long study-in hosted by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition, and UCF Young Democratic-Socialists of America (YDSA). The goal of the study-in was to build the presence of the pro-Palestinian student movement among the UCF student body while also building momentum for a November 26 rally against the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity’s trumped-up conduct charges against UCF student Chris Gibson for protesting against Israel’s genocide of Palestine.

Study-in: Monday November 18

Students began the study-in at 8:30 by taping signs to the library tables and chairs, as well as laying out educational material, promotional flyers, and Palestinian flags to hand out to students passing by or wanting to join in. The signs contained several slogans, such as “While we are studying, ‘Israel’ is committing genocide” and “UCF divest from death.” At its height on most days, the study-in was made up of 12-15 students, and went as late as 6 p.m.

On the second day of the study-in, a UCF police officer approached the studying demonstrators, saying the taped signs were “improperly attached” to the library tables and chairs and then threatened a student with charges of criminal mischief after the student informed the officer that they were busy because they were studying.

The officer walked to a nearby hallway, where students studying nearby noticed the cops’ presence. Several students passing by then talked with the protesters and joined the study-in, asking if the officer was bothering them. The officer soon left.

After this police interaction, the study-in was approached by a single member of UCF administration, Dr. Kerry Welch, the vice president of Student Engagement and Leadership Development. He informed the student protesters that he had received complaints they were taping signs to university property, after which the students proceeded to tape the signs to their laptops and re-attach the signs to their chairs without the use of tape.

Students and community members collectively wrote about 30 letters demanding the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity drop their conduct charges against UCF student and member of SDS and the Divestment Coalition, Chris Gibson.

Speakout – November 19

On Tuesday, November 19, UCF SDS held a speak-out and tabling session in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition at the Student Union for a National Day of Action called by National Students for a Democratic Society for Trans Day of Remembrance.

Jay Ialongo spoke on behalf of UCF SDS, stating, “Every day it seems we are slowly struggling back to a time before we had the rights that our elders fought so hard for.”

Ialongo went to say, “Our schools make it harder for us to even use the restroom, with anti-trans bathroom policies running rampant throughout colleges across the state, including here at UCF, giving trans students Code of Conduct charges just for having to take a piss.”

Mass meeting and panel – Thursday, November 21

On Thursday. November 21, UCF YDSA hosted a mass meeting and panel featuring speakers from UCF YDSA, SDS, Divestment Coalition, and Central Florida Students for Justice in Palestine. Students packed the classroom with an audience of over 30 attendees. The meeting was started off with the panel speakers each answering questions about their experiences organizing for Palestine on campus, what their organizations’ reactions to the recent presidential election were, and what organizing on UCF campus will look like in the future. Afterwards the panel was opened up to an open audience discussion with the majority of attendees participating.

UCF YDSA has recently begun a divestment referendum campaign, collecting signatures to make disclosure and divestment from weapon manufacturers profiting off of Israel’s genocide in Palestine a votable action for the next campus election cycle.

UCF SDS and the Divestment Coalition were able to collect over 30 signatures through the study-in, contributing to UCF YDSA’s grand total of over 400 petitions signed, out of a required amount of 750.

Rally and march – November 25

The study-in on Monday, November 25, ended at 1 p.m. to join a rally and march called by the UCF Palestinian Student Association. The march had between 30 and 40 students who marched around the Student Union chanting slogans including “From the river to the sea. Palestine will be free” and “UCF, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?”

A heavy police presence of at least 10 or 15 officers on bicycles escorted and maintained a perimeter around the student protests as they marched twice around the student union.

Drop the charges against Chris Gibson rally – November 26

On November 26, UCF SDS mobilized students to the Ferrell Commons, where Chris Gibson’s “formal panel hearing” was taking place, to demand the charges against Gibson be dropped.

At the rally Vanessa Christaldi of UCF SDS stated, “ We know that Chris has not broken any rules, that Chris is simply one of the many people that have spoken up against our university, our city, and our country’s support of Israel’s genocide. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”

Christaldi continued, “The university is unjustly punishing us because they want to protect their financial interests, and we must show them now more than ever that we will continue to push for disclosure and divestment.”. During the rally, passing students signed petitions for divestment.

Chris Gibson is currently facing one felony and one misdemeanor charge for protesting October 7 against Israel’s genocide of Palestine. Gibson is being charged with one count of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting arrest without violence. While Gibson is still waiting for those charges to be filed, the UCF Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) decided to pursue code of conduct violations against Gibson.

The formal panel hearing consisted of a panel of two faculty members and two students (picked by SCAI) who listen to testimony given by the student facing charges, and any witnesses called by SCAI and/or the student.

While the arresting officer and officer alleging the original battery charges against Gibson were originally tasked to give witness testimony, the only witness to actually appear at the formal panel hearing was Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF SDS and the Divestment Coalition, who witnessed the Orlando Police Department’s brutal arrest of Gibson at Orlando City Hall.

After each witness gives a testimony of their account of the events, the panel is then able to question the student and witnesses, after which the charged student may give a closing statement, and the panel deliberates. Upon reaching an agreement, the panel sends their findings to the director of SCAI, Ryan Iocco, who has the final authority to approve or deny the findings of the panel. The director of SCAI only has to explain their rationale if they rule against the findings of the panel. Chris Gibson is still waiting to hear back from SCAI, as his formal panel hearing date was set for November 26, the day before UCF campuses close for Thanksgiving break. Gibson’s original felony and misdemeanor charges are still not filed, and he is still awaiting to be granted access to the state’s evidence.

#OrlandoFL #FL #StudentMovement #FreeSpeech #SDS

The rally began around 3 p.m. to coincide with SCAI’s preliminary conference with the student charged. The rally was opened with an introduction explaining the charges alleged against Chris Gibson. Gibson is currently facing a felony and misdemeanor charge for protesting against the Israeli genocide in Palestine this October at Orlando City Hall. Orange County is alleging one count of resisting arrest without violence and one count of battery on an officer.

UCF’s Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity then proceeded to allege student conduct charges against Chris Gibson even though his original charges are still not filed, the event was off UCF campus, and no UCF staff or faculty were involved with the event. Chris Gibson has two conduct charges: “3(g) Disruptive Conduct” and “4(a) Harmful Behavior.”

Nova Patterson, a lead organizer with the UCF Divestment Coalition, was the first to speak, “We are here to show that we know what is going on and we are not going to let it slide. We are not going to allow UCF to just slap conduct charges against students just for protesting against genocide. Shame on UCF!”

The preliminary conference itself consisted of the charged student meeting with their case worker to discuss what the university is alleging against the student. Gibson reported that, due to the severe nature of the allegations, SCAI has decided to skip the informal hearing and move forward with a formal hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 26 at 1 p.m. Because of SCAI’s decision to skip the informal hearing, as of now Chris Gibson is set to face a panel of faculty and students (chosen by SCAI) without knowing what the potential sanctions are.

Patterson went on to discuss recent anti-protesting amendments that were passed unanimously by UCF’s board of trustees, such as banning the use of face masks at rallies, requiring registration if there is a possibility that an event will have 50 or more participants, and banning the posting of flyers to light posts and university property, to name a few. “No matter what, this is a public campus. We are going to continue showing up!”

These conduct charges come at a time when the UCF police department has surveilled pro-Palestine students painting banners in a public area on campus, interrogated students studying in the library over the banner making and trespassing a Palestinian graduate student for attending anti-genocide rallies.

Theodore Crouch spoke on behalf of UCF Young Democratic Socialists of America. “The university cannot continue to be hostile to anti-apartheid protesters. We are the students, we fund this university, and we make it what it is. Putting us in jail is not the solution. All the charges against Chris Gibson must be dropped.”

Despite the rain, UCF Students for a Democratic Society, Divestment Coalition, and Young Democratic Socialists of America led a successful rally to build pressure against administration and show the Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity that Chris Gibson has the support of students.

The student protesters led several chants outside of Ferrell Commons and as they marched back to Reflection Pond. Some chants included: “Hands off the student movement,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Drop the charges!”

The rally was closed out by Vanessa Christaldi, a lead organizer with UCF Students for a Democratic Society. “We are here to let administration know that they cannot silence the voices of students, that we are aware of the tactics they use, and that we as student protesters will not sit silently as they try to isolate and intimidate us.”

#OrlandoFL #ChrisGibson #repression #UCF #SDS #Palestine

Orlando, FL – On Wednesday, November 6, more than 40 community members, students and activists rallied at the George C. Young Federal Court House to protest Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election. The rally was organized by the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

Chants of “Racist, sexist, anti-gay, Donald Trump go away!” and “Free, free Palestine!” echoed through the busy downtown Orlando streets underneath Interstate 4.

Introducing the rally, Jacob Muldoon, district organizer for FRSO Orlando, stated, “We are here today to protest the election of Trump and to demand a broad people’s agenda; one that protects women and reproductive rights, one that fights back against the racists and reactionaries, and one that stands with Palestine!”

Many speakers also emphasized the importance of continuing to organize against the genocide in Palestine as Trump returns to power in the White House. “We must continue to demand our cities, institutions, and universities disclose and divest from Israel's genocide. We must continue to organize and build up the anti-genocide movement!” stated Marcus Polzer, a member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

The rally closed out with a call for unity between the various progressive people's organizations across Orlando against the racist, backwards and reactionary Trump agenda. FRSO Orlando also called on those not yet involved in the people's movement to join an organization fighting for justice and liberation.

The protest was co-sponsored by local organizations including the New Era Young Lords, UCF Students for a Democratic Society, UCF Divestment Coalition, Central Florida Students for Justice in Palestine, and others.

#OrlandoFL #FL #PeoplesStruggles #Trump

Orlando, FL - On Monday, September 23, several student and community groups rallied at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to demand justice for a Palestinian protester targeted by university administration.

The protester, a recent UCF alumna planning to begin graduate classes in the fall, had been trespassed from the university after participating in several peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus in the beginning of the summer. She was singled out by university police, who followed her to her car after she and several others had passed out flyers after a graduation ceremony. She was also the only person involved in these demonstrations to face any sort of disciplinary action. She did not know this was going to happen, it was sprung on her after a July academic advising appointment. The student was then told by UCFPD that she is prohibited from attending classes or setting foot on university property, indefinitely.

The group of about 30 demonstrators who gathered on Monday evening near the Reflection Pond demanded that the university drop the trespass charges and allow the student to attend classes again. They also demanded disclosure of the university’s investments, and for the university to divest from weapons manufacturers and Israeli companies involved in the genocide in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine.

Groups present included the UCF Divest Coalition, Healing our Homeland, Central Florida Queers for Palestine, Orlando for Peace, and UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

“Many students on campus are involved in organizing for our collective liberation, and yet the university and the UCF police department chose to target one of the only Palestinian organizers on this campus,” said Reem Elkhaldi, a local attorney and executive director of Healing Our Homeland.

Elkhaldi continued, “We have to realize that the weapons we are supporting on this campus – that they are pushing the students on this campus to go and build when they graduate, those weapons are being tested on my family and friends in the Gaza strip. We refuse to accept genocide as normal. We will not surrender to immoral administrators and state agents and accept the oppression of others in exchange for new sporting equipment and endless cupcakes at the holiday parties.”

The rally came just days after the Orlando Police Department brutalized and arrested eight pro-Palestine demonstrators in downtown Orlando after a march for Lebanon, and days before the UCF board of trustees is set to vote on new protest regulations. These regulations include a ban on masks at rallies and a requirement for all individuals on university property to identify themselves to university officials and law enforcement.

The speakers condemned the ongoing repression. “Our administration will go through all of this effort to silence our demands and will at the same time pat themselves on the back for listening to the student body,” stated Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

Polzer continued, “Our administration is repeatedly demonstrating to us that they are actively hostile to what we are demanding. They would like to just sit by and profit off the genocide while banning students from campus indefinitely for speaking out and demanding divestment. Our university does in fact care about what we say, and they want us to shut up, but we’re not going anywhere.”

As the rally grew in size and energy, students made clear that the intensified repression and intimidation would not deter the spirit of the student movement for divestment and the freedom to protest. Students chanted, “Shame on you, UCF! Feeding the machine of death!” One sign read: “We are not going anywhere! Disclose and divest!”

As the rally came to a close and students were getting ready to disperse back to their vehicles, the sprinklers were turned on around the Reflection Pond, but only on the side where the rally was taking place. While a few signs were destroyed, this laughable display of hostility had no real effect. The student movement continues to grow in size and strength, and a week of action for Palestine has been planned.

#OrlandoFL #FreePalestine #StudentIntifada #PoliticalRepression #Divest #UCFSDS #SDS

Orlando, FL- Thirty activists gathered outside of City Hall in downtown Orlando for a vigil to mourn and remember the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. This was the second of several events being organized each day as part of a week of action to mark one year since Israel began bombing Gaza.

Local activists lined the steps of City Hall with photos of Palestinian children killed since October 2023. They also placed flowers, tea lights candles, and 50 tombstones that each represented over 1000 Palestinians murdered by Israel over the last year.

In between the lines of tombstones were dozens of pairs of children's shoes, symbolizing the innocent lives of children taken by U.S. bombs and weapons used in Israel’s war on Palestine and Lebanon. The display also included 100 Palestinian and Lebanese flags.

Throughout this gathering, police circled around on bikes before concealing themselves inside of City Hall to look out onto the group from above. Several activists at the vigil had been brutalized and arrested a week earlier in a previous Palestine Solidarity action. This night, the police decided not to engage – perhaps because so much video evidence of their violent attacks on protesters on September 21 has since gotten so much negative national attention.

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Lebanon

The protesters were all members of Central Florida Queers for Palestine and Orlando for Peace, two local grassroots organizations dedicated to justice in Palestine. Around 20 activists had gathered at Lake Eola Park as part of an emergency action denouncing Israel’s illegal and immoral bombing campaigns against Lebanon and demanding an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

The protest was peaceful and included a march around Lake Eola, as protestors chanted and held large Lebanese and Palestinian flags. Although they did not request nor want an OPD escort, police on bikes followed them as they marched. Also following them was a single, deranged counter-protester who walked alongside them holding a sign with an Israeli flag and shouting obscenities at the group. And although OPD became increasingly hostile as the march went on, the rally for a safe Lebanon and a free Palestine continued without incident.

After about an hour of marching, the rally was over, and the activists began walking back to their cars. That’s when the unhinged counter-protester showed up again to harass the group, accompanied by the police on bikes. It was at that moment that OPD officers incited chaos and violence by brutally shoving Queers for Palestine activist Lamia Moukaddam, causing her to bang her head and shoulders on the ground.

The rest of the activists immediately ran to assist and protect Lamia who was still on the ground. That’s when the police began aggressively grabbing peoples’ arms, shoving others to the ground, shouting at the small crowd, and handcuffing several of them. OPD’s actions against this group of pro-Palestine activists were egregious, and their excessive force was caught on several of the protesters’ cameras. In total, eight pro-Palestine protesters were arrested.

We denounce the brutal treatment of these eight Central Florida pro-Palestine activists by OPD. We denounce their subsequent arrests and current felony and misdemeanor charges. The only people who should be facing any punishment for what occurred on September 21 are the police officers who abused an assembly of young people on their way home! Police brutality is a crime! Protesting is not!

This is a pivotal moment in this country’s history, when we are seeing crackdowns on civil liberties, and pro-Palestine speech and protests nationwide. Such repressive actions by the government against progressive forces are becoming all too common recently, especially in the state of Florida, where police are emboldened by state laws and politicians to act with impunity. Florida lawmakers use their power to protect the genocidal Israeli government and trample on the constitutionally protected rights of Florida residents, giving police free reign to attack at will. And it is our duty to resist these unconstitutional and unjust attacks!

The actions taken by the OPD and police across the country and are meant to intimidate the Palestine solidarity movement and quell the upsurge in support the Palestinian resistance has gained over the last year. Especially as we approach one year since Israel began its war against the people of Palestine. But we will not let any politicians, police, or provocateurs intimidate our movements! We will not allow fear of arrests or any charges against our friends and allies stop us from organizing and taking to the streets for Palestine.

When they come after one of us in the movement, we must all organize to oppose it. We stand in solidarity with our friends in Orlando for Peace and Central Florida Queers for Palestine in their struggle to resist these absurd, politically motivated charges against them.

Drop the charges now!

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #FRSO #Statement

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society (UCF SDS) in Orlando, Florida.

On June 18, an appeal was filed by UCF student and SDS member Marcus Polzer regarding the Formal Panel hearing that found Polzer in violation of two counts of Disruptive Conduct. Students have the right to appeal the findings of the hearing only on the basis of one or more of the following:

1. Irregularities in fairness and stated procedures that could have affected the outcome of the hearing.

2. Discovery of new and significant information that was not known or could not reasonably have been discovered and/or presented at the time of the initial hearing.

3. The sanctions are extraordinarily disproportionate to the violation(s).

On June 30, the charged student received a letter from an appellate officer regarding the appeal. The appellate officer is the final level of appeal and has the authority to approve, or alter the original sanctions, or remand the case for a new hearing. The officer chose to alter the sanctions to “more accurately correspond to the totality of the circumstances regarding this matter.” The semester of disciplinary probation has been reduced to a disciplinary warning and the “Impact of Future – Interview and Paper” sanction has been eliminated effective immediately.

UCF Students for a Democratic Society views this decision as a victory and proof that organizing and building up student power are effective at making our demands met. UCF is the students’ campus and we at SDS will continue to stand up and organize against political repression. Students are an integral part of this university, and we will make our voices heard. Dare to struggle, dare to win!

#OrlandoFL #FL #StudentMovement #PoliticalRepression #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS

Orlando, FL – On June 27 and 28, the Florida board of governors held a meeting in the Student Union of the University of Central Florida. On June 27, various subcommittees met to discuss actions that would be up for vote the next day, including giving the UCF football department $100 million in funding despite teachers and faculty receiving news last semester that they would not be receiving a pay raise.

On June 28, approximately ten speakers arrived at the board of governors meeting to give public comment on numerous items on the agenda such as updating the Florida New College’s “Master Plan” and the board’s decision to delist “Principles of Sociology” from the core course list earlier in the year. 

Delisting the course means that the class would no longer satisfy the general education core class requirements for students. Nearly every speaker, including one member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), had their microphones cut off for “not speaking on items on the agenda.” Public comment lasted no more than ten minutes, with the board of governors continuing on with the meeting without acknowledgment of the comments given by those in attendance.

Several members of the audience who gave public comment, spoke up against the board of governors, stating that it was absurd to be cut off when they drove hours to attend the meeting and not even be acknowledged. The members of the audience who spoke up were then ordered to leave the meeting and were escorted by police out of the room.

At 10:30 a.m. the same day, over 25 students, including members of the audience who were cut off, gathered outside the front of the Student Union to rally against the Florida board of governor’s support of the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters and assault on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Several in attendance had driven from other universities in the state such as Florida State University and the University of Florida. One attendee held a sign stating, “Fund DEI not genocide.” 

Muahbohn Dahn, an organizer with Florida Student Power, explained the effects that bills such as SB 266 will have on students and their education, stating, “This bill doesn’t just defund our diversity, equity and inclusion offices in the state, but attacks our courses in general. Any course that has to do with critical race theory or critical gender theory were all removed from our catalogue, because they know if we are able to sociologically look into the systems that have been placed around us, we will see they ways in which they continue to oppress us.”

Ladara Royal, an educator and union leader of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, further elaborated, “It is said that public school education is the great equalizer. However, that dream has become under attack in Florida. You cannot have innovation when everyone in the room looks and thinks the same.”

Despite heavy heat and the presence of police, the students rallied outside the Student Union for an hour as the board of governors exited their meeting.

Marcus Polzer, an organizer with UCF SDS who was among those that were cut off during public comment, stated, “The Florida board of governors herald themselves as supporters of higher education and students, yet they can’t spare more than 15 minutes every three months to listen to public comment. This board has the power to dismantle entire majors. We students are a vital part of this University, and we will not be silenced.”

Madalyn Propst, a student from FSU spoke out further against the board’s recent undemocratic decisions, stating, “They think it is their God-given right to govern against the interests of students. We will not be complacent in their hatred; we will not sit idly by while they take our rights away.”

The rally and press conference were held by Florida Student Power and Youth Action Fund in collaboration with the UCF Divestment Coalition and UCF Students for a Democratic Society.

#OrlandoFL #DEI #UCFSDS #FloridaStudentPower #YouthActionFund #UCFDivestmentCoalition

Orlando, FL – On July 1, 15 activists confronted U.S. House Representative Darren Soto at a meet-and-greet event, where they condemned his legislative track record of supporting the genocide in Palestine.

The confrontation was an escalation that came after repeated efforts to have a meeting with Soto, to no avail. Soto is sponsored by AIPAC and has received $133,595 from the Zionist pro-Israel lobby to date.

Pursuing an inside-outside strategy, a small group of activists entered the restaurant in which the event was being held to confront Soto directly. After several attempts to initiate conversation with Soto were met with indifference, the group inside erupted with chants of “Free, free Palestine!”

Feeling the pressure from his constituents, Soto scurried out of the restaurant only to be confronted with an even larger group of protesters holding signs and a large banner which read “End U.S. aid to Israel.” Protesters began chanting “Hey Soto, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” and followed him to his car before he managed to drive away.

“We just shut down Darren Soto’s event for his continued support of Israel and the genocide of Palestinians. He has done everything in the book from censuring Rashida Tlaib, to voting for increased funding to Israel, to voting to not recognize the death count from the Gaza Health Ministry,” said Jacob Muldoon, member of FRSO Orlando.

Orlando for Peace, Central Florida Queers for Palestine, and the Orlando district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization organized the action. They and and other organizations will continue to pressure local politicians and build support for Palestine and are making preparations to attend the march on the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19.

#OrlandoFL #DarrenSoto #OrlandoforPeace #CentralFloridaQueersforPalestine #FRSO

In a message sent out through the event link, Phillip Jerez stated that the office opening had been “postponed” but did not offer a reason, nor a new date for the opening.

This event cancellation came in the wake of the Biden/Trump debate and consistent protests of Biden campaign events.

“We will not allow business as usual! Show out to the grand opening to protest the Biden administration's aiding of genocide and demand the end of U.S. aid to Israel” said the groups via an Instagram post publicizing the call to action. “If and when this event is rescheduled, we will mobilize in opposition.”

#OrlandoFL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Democrats #FRSO

Orlando, FL – On June 15, Orlando for Peace, with the support of civic organizations around Central Florida, created a Memorial for the Children of Gaza on the steps of Orlando City Hall. The event, held the day before Father’s Day, was to remember and mourn the over 15,000 Palestinian children murdered by Israel.

Protesters continue pushing for the city of Orlando and elected officials, including Congressman Darren Soto and President Biden, to support a ceasefire now and end U.S. complicity in and funding of the genocide of Palestinians.

“The genocide of children committed by the Israeli occupation in Palestine is an attack on all of our children. Every child deserves to grow up and have the opportunity to see their dreams come to fruition,” said Lamia Moukaddam, an organizer with Central Florida Queers for Palestine.

“The killing of Palestinian children has been the Israeli modus operandi since 1948,” explained Cassia Laham, an organizer with the Orlando district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Braving thunderstorms, over 40 people, including families and children of many nationalities, gathered at the steps of Orlando City Hall, listened to speeches, and read out the names of the thousands of children murdered by Israel.

“Black and brown and queer folks must stand up for our siblings and comrades being harmed by the same systems that aim to harm us,” said Kleoptra Blck, an organizer with All Black Evrrrthang. A child led the crowd chanting, “Free, free Palestine!''

The organizations that cosponsored the Orlando for Peace event were Central Florida Queers for Palestine, Freedom Road Socialist Organization – Orlando, All Black Errrythang, Amnesty International Orlando, Healing our Homeland, CAIR Florida, and Partners for Palestine.

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #FRSO #CAIR

The office of SCAI alleged two counts of disruptive conduct, claiming Polzer taped flyers to light poles advertising SDS’s weekly meeting and pro-Palestine messages. Interestingly, while only citing evidence of taped flyers, the university claims the student leader broke rules regarding solicitation and fundraising. Neither Polzer nor the SDS chapter engaged in such activities.

The two charges brought were:

(3)(j) Disruptive Conduct- Violation of any other University regulation or policy as described in their UCF Regulations, UCF Policies and Procedures, or University department publicized policy.

(3)(k) Disruptive Conduct- Failure to comply with applicable and University regulations and procedures for solicitation and fundraising activities on campus.

The hearing began with the charged student giving a testimony as to why they are not in violation of the alleged charges. Polzer began by pointing out that he had been posting flyers on campus nearly every week consistently for over a month. However, he had not received word of any potential problem until the day after a rally held by University of Central Florida (UCF) SDS protesting a Lockheed Martin arms manufacturer event. The student also noted that he never disrupted any student activities while posting flyers, calling into question where charges of “Disruptive Conduct” came from.

After questioning of the student by panel members, SCAI called its only witness, a UCF police detective who was in charge of the case. After a short testimony, the detective was sharply asked by one of the panel members, “Who was reporting the flyers to UCFPD?” The detective replied that the police department had received a plethora of reports related to posting flyers at the time. 

The student and their legal representation were then allowed to question the witness. Among the pieces of evidence was a screenshot of a video taken from one of the many cameras on UCF campus identifying Marcus Polzer and showing him posting flyers. The detective was asked whether “whether the student could be seen disturbing any of the students nearby?” The detective replied that they couldn’t say, but that “clearly some students had been disturbed” since the police department was receiving so many reports at the time.

After the questioning of the witness, Polzer was allowed to give one closing testimony. They reiterated that these conduct charges are political, that alleging disruptive conduct for posting pro-Palestine flyers at a time when students internationally are demanding their universities divest from genocide cannot be seen as anything but political. Polzer only posted flyers to light posts, yet disruptive conduct and breaking fundraising rules are what are being levied. 

The director of UCF’s Student Conduct & Academic Integrity has ten business days from the time of the hearing to review the decision made by the hearing panel and deliver an outcome letter to Polzer. Then the charged student has ten business days to appeal if they choose.

After the formal hearing, the lawyer representing Marcus Polzer was contacted by UCF’s legal counsel. They demanded that the lawyer no longer work with the student due to the university hiring their firm on another matter and creating a perceived conflict of interest.

On June 6, University of Central Florida received his outcome letter stating that the director of SCAI agreed with the formal panel in finding Polzer in violation of both alleged student conduct charges. The director is only required to state their reasoning if they act against the findings of the panel, so no explanation was given as to why the charges were not dropped.

The charged student has been sanctioned with one semester of disciplinary probation, must complete a “10-10-10 Decision-Making Exercise”, and must write a two- or three-page paper reflecting on “what steps you might take in the future to ensure you are in compliance with University rules and regulations.” Given the political nature of these charges, their lack of proportion and reasoning, the charged student has decided to appeal the director’s decision.

In the weeks before, UCF SDS launched three days of call-ins to demand the charges and hearing against Marcus University of Central Florida be dropped. The day before the May 15 formal hearing, SCAI contacted the student asking to reschedule, pushing the formal hearing to May 30. While the office of SCAI claims that the rescheduling was due to a clerical error, the last-minute nature of their contact is proof that the pressure SDS has been building against UCF admin is working.

On May 28, UCF SDS held a speak-out at Memory Mall on UCF campus to demand that that the University disclose its investments in Israel and drop the charges against Polzer. “As students, it is in our collective interest that we fight for the right to speak our thoughts politically and to organize student groups,” said Vanessa Christaldi, co-founder of UCF SDS. “It is not a crime to protest, to tape up flyers, or to be opposed to genocide. Our university has chosen their side with their continued funding of the U.S war machine, putting the interests of war profiteers over the interests of their own students.”

Despite some initial rain, SDS members gave speeches throughout Memory Mall for two hours to students and attendants of a nearby graduation passing by. Marcus Polzer spoke as well, stating, “All of us have come here to receive an education at great expense, putting many of us into debt. Students are an integral part of the university, and we will not be silenced. Disclose and divest from Israeli genocide and drop the charges!”

#OrlandoFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS

Apopka, FL – On Wednesday, May 15, more than 40 community members gathered to mourn the tragic loss of eight Mexicano migrant workers killed in an automobile accident early Tuesday morning. The vigil was held at the local headquarters of the Farmworkers Association of Florida.

The accident occurred just after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning as the workers were aboard a bus on its way to a local watermelon farm in the town of Dunnellon. Bryan Maclean Howard, while under the influence, veered across the center-line of the two-lane road and sideswiped the bus, causing it to swerve off the road, strike a tree, and flip over. Eight workers lost their lives in the accident and nearly four dozen others were injured, many of whom remain in critical condition.

Those lost ranged in age from as old as 46 to as young as 20. They were fathers, brothers, sons and more. All of the men were H-2A visa recipients, working seasonally here in the U.S. for a meager $14.77 an hour. They hailed from states across Mexico, including Guanajuato, Hidalgo and Estado de México.

Florida, more than any other state, employs over 50,000 H-2A temporary workers annually across various sectors such as agriculture and construction. On top of facing poor working conditions and low wages, temporary workers are more likely to be injured while traveling to and from the workplace. Federal statistics from 2022 show that automotive accidents were the leading cause of work-related deaths for farmworkers, accounting for 81 of 171 fatalities.

The vigil began with an introduction by Yesica Ramírez, general coordinator of the Farmworkers Association. She was followed by Juan Sabines, the general consul of Mexico in Orlando.

Sabines said, “One year ago we were arguing about a state law, SB 1718. The reason is because an immigrant, undocumented, crashed into the vehicle of the son of a very important politician in this state. And the Senate said no more undocumented immigrants driving in this state.”

He added, “But now one year later, that was not the solution. The driver who killed eight amazing guys was American, with a driver's license and the people who passed away were Mexican with H-2A visas. Documented or undocumented has never been the reason for an accident.”

Local faith leaders Sister Ann and Pastor David Maldonado also shared words honoring the lives lost.

The Farmworkers Association of Florida is circulating a GoFundMe to raise funds for the families of the victims:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/8-farmworkers-dead-and-over-dozen-injured-after-accident

#ApopkaFL #OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #Labor #Farmworkers #FAF