Activism is not a crime! July 12ᵗʰ Rally to Defend the Tampa 5!
The National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression stands in full solidarity with USF students, and all those defending civil liberties and diversity in education. Ron DeSantis' targeting of student protesters is a blatant act of political repression, and a clear message meant to instill fear in anyone who stands up and speaks out against racism and discrimination in education, and attacks on bodily autonomy. We will not back down.
The state has doubled down and added even more unjust felony charges against the young activists; Now is the time to mobilize to defend the Tampa 5, and the right to protest. We are calling on all NAARPR branches and affiliates to participate in a National Day of Protest on July 12th, the first scheduled court appearance for the Tampa 5. We demand that the charges be dropped!
Join us in hosting local actions in Florida, and nationwide. #FreeTheTampa5
LEGAL UPDATE FROM THE TAMPA 5:
The 13th district attorney of Florida has doubled the felony counts on 3 of the Tampa 5 and increased the potential prison time to 10 years for each of 3 of us. The state attorney had offered one plea deal to potentially drop the charges in exchange for us admitting guilt for attacking police and writing letters of apologies to the cops.
We refused to tell such a lie and sell out the movement, and we now face a deepened legal attack as a result. I am one of the people facing 10 years now. It is clear that the prosecutors want to make an example of us and quell social movements by throwing us into prison.
We will need all the support we can get to keep our freedom and see justice. We need all hands on deck!
Other important upcoming events:
June 24th, A Statewide Florida Emergency to Defend the Tampa 5: Civil Liberties in the Era of DeSantis
Date and Time: Saturday, June 24, 10am to 6pm
Location: Maureen B. Gauzza Library
11211 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL
Register Here: https://dub.sh/defendtampa5conf
Join us as community members and organizations gather from around the state of Florida to demand justice for the Tampa 5 and ways we can build a movement to end DeSantis' attacks on the people of Florida. Register ASAP, as we will be catering lunch and want everyone to be accounted for!
Featured speakers include Frank Chapman of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, student protesters from New College in Florida, esteemed leaders from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the West Florida Central Labor Council, the American Civil Liberties Union, and more.
Activism is not a crime! Stand with the Tampa 5 against political repression!
In Solidarity,
NAARPR National Desk