The Tequesta Black Star has produced a map of walkouts in Florida and elsewhere in the United States against the Don’t Say Gay bill. There are 63 locations logged so far, all accessible on an interactive Google Map.
Thousands of Students Across Florida Walk Out Against Don’t Say Gay Bill
Thousands of students across Florida walked out in a statewide mobilization against the Don’t Say Gay bill, which would ban discussion of LGBT+ issues in elementary schools and has passed through the state legislature.
High schools participated reaching from Seminole County to Flagler, with Riverview High, Freedom High, Gibbs High and many more present. In Tallahassee, students marched from their high schools to the Florida House, occupying the floors to condemn the bill’s passage.
Repression was also reported during the walkouts, with the lead organizer being suspended indefinitely by his school for passing out Pride flags.
Davenport High, Polk County
Wiregrass Ranch High, Pasco County
Lakewood High, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County
Bayside High School, Palm Bay, Brevard County
Terry Parker High, Jacksonville, Duval County
Freedom High School, Orlando, Orange County
Hillsborough High, Tampa, Hillsborough County
Largo High, Largo, Pinellas County
Gibbs High School, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County
Florida House of Representatives
DaJen Eats Workers in Orlando Protest Unjust Firing
DaJen Eats gathered in Orlando to protest their firing after speaking out against the manipulation of timestamps for breaks and clock-out times, inconsistent payment of tips, and unsafe physical working conditions. The rallygoers demanded that their employment be restored, and all demands to improve pay and working conditions be satisfied.
Media via Central Florida Industrial Workers of the World
Hundreds in Orlando Protest Don’t Say Gay Bill
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Orlando to denounce the Don’t Say Gay bill, which would prohibit the discussion of LGBT+ issues in classrooms across Florida. The bill recently passed through the House, without an amendment that would have forced schools to out students to their families in 6 weeks or less.
CPAC Counterprotesters in Orlando Denounce Mismanagement of Pandemic by DeSantis
Counterprotesters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando gathered to denounce Governor DeSantis’ mismanagement of the pandemic, which up to the present has caused nearly 70,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Despite being victim to harassment from CPAC attendees, no heated confrontations occurred at the event.
100 St. Petersburg Protesters Gather at City Hall Demanding Rent Control
Over 100 protesters gathered outside the St. Petersburg City Hall to demand rent control amid one of the worst housing crises in American history, of which St. Petersburg and other Florida cities are epicenters.
Many organizations, including Tampa Bay Party for Socialism and Liberation, St. Petersburg People’s Council, and the Allendale Methodist Church spoke at the event, condemning the city government for refusing to acknowledge the struggles of the people outside its doors.
Members of the St. Petersburg People’s Council voted to escalate if the city doesn’t take action, gathering signatures from residents willing to set up an encampment at the city hall. Despite the risk of arrest, many signed up, holding the belief that incarceration is a lesser burden than excessive rent.
Media via St. Petersburg Tenants’ Union
Dozens in Miami gather for ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ demanding citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Dozens of protesters assembled in a Miami “A Day Without Immigrants” event to demand better treatment of farmworkers and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the United States, calling for an immediate moratorium on deportations for reasons excepting violent crime.
Media via American Friends Service Committee-Florida
Dozens turn out in Lake Eola Day Without Immigrants protest
Dozens of demonstrators in Orlando took to the streets of Lake Eola in the “A Day Without Immigrants” event, standing in solidarity with all immigrants regardless of status. Organizers demanded a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and an immigration program more accessible to the global poor.
Media via Central Florida AFL-CIA
60 protesters gather north of Tampa demanding release of Leonard Peltier
Around 60 protesters assembled to demand the release of indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier at the Coleman Federal Correctional Institute, an hour’s drive north of Tampa. Peltier, now 77 years old, has been infected with COVID-19 for more than a week and has been denied parole and release.
Leonard Peltier was an activist for the American Indian Movement, who has been incarcerated for over 44 years in what is internationally considered one of the most corrupt trials in American history. Peltier was accused of shooting and killing 2 FBI agents at point-blank range, but a prosecutor conceded that the government does not know who shot the agents.
Regardless, it was asserted that he is equally guilty whether he shot the agents at point-blank range, or participated in the shoot-out from a distance. Peltier’s co-defendants participated in the shootout from a distance but were nonetheless acquitted.
An FBI ballistics expert testified that a casing found near the agents’ bodies matched the gun tied to Peltier. A previous ballistic test proving that the casing had not come from Peltier’s gun, however, was intentionally concealed.
One of the prosecutors in the case later admitted that the trial was a sham, calling for the release of Peltier. The AIM activist’s incarceration continues in spite of ever-growing evidence suggesting he was framed.
Photos via PSL Tampa Bay
Hundreds march in Trayvon Martin Peace Walk against gun violence and discrimination
Hundreds took to the streets in Miami on the 10th anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s birthday since his murder by George Zimmerman, denouncing gun violence, racial discrimination, and the Stand Your Ground law that enabled a white vigilante to shoot a Black minor.