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More than 150 people showed up at a Fort Pierce, Fla., community gathering in June to raise awareness and demand the end of attacks on immigrant communities. (FLIC)

Political Climate Drains Vital Donations for FL Immigrant Rights Advocacy

Groups aiding immigrants in building economic independence and pursuing citizenship are grappling with funding challenges exacerbated by anti-immigran…

As founders and leaders of the Tallahassee chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Florida A&M University (FAMU) students Patricia and Priscilla Stephens led a series of nonviolent protests in Tallahassee in the early 1960s in front of a segregated theatre in Tallahassee. (State Archives of Florida)

Florida's New Teachings on Slavery 'Offensive,' Distort Brutal Reality

As Gov. Ron DeSantis promotes claims that enslaved people developed skills for their personal benefit, and is requiring those teachings to middle …

Florida's newest elections law requires that third-party voter registration groups provide mandatory formal signature-matching training to specified persons by the Florida Secretary of State. (Pixabay)

Florida Faces Lawsuits Over Sweeping New Elections Law

The moment Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping elections bill into law last week, several voter-advocacy groups filed lawsuits against it…

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has used New College of Florida, a tiny, public liberal arts college on the shores of Sarasota Bay, as an example for his war on

Some New College of Florida Students Feel 'Trapped' in 'Hostile Takeover'

Following what's described as a "hostile takeover" by right-wing conservatives, at the progressive New College of Florida, students and prospective …

The 2023 regular session of the Florida Legislature begins Tues., March 7. There are Republican supermajorities in both the Florida House and Senate. (Matt Johnson/Wikimedia Commons)

Floridians Want Lawmakers to End Culture Wars, Focus On 'People's Budget'

Florida's legislative session - which begins Tuesday - has already made headlines as a conservative majority pitches bills to expand gun rights…

On June 10, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) renounced jurisdiction over faculty employees at most religious educational institutions, which has resulted in faculty unions being disbanded at some of those schools. (Pixabay)

Florida University Uses Religious Exemption to Disband Faculty Union

Citing a religious exemption, Edward Waters University - a private, historically Black school in Jacksonville - has shut down its faculty union…

El 10 de junio de 2020, la Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales (NLRB) renunci� a la jurisdicci�n sobre los empleados del profesorado de la mayor�a de las instituciones educativas religiosas, lo que ha provocado la disoluci�n de los sindicatos del profesorado en algunas de esas escuelas. (Pixabay)

Universidad de FL utiliza exención religiosa para disolver sindicato de profesores

Argumentando una exención religiosa, la Universidad Edward Waters -una escuela privada históricamente negra de Jacksonville- ha cerrado su …

Karla Hern�ndez-Mats, 42, has been president of the United Teachers of Dade since 2016, but has never held public office. She is now part of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist's ticket. (Karla Hern�ndez-Mats/Twitter)

Teachers Rally to Boost Profile of Hernández-Mats for Lt. Gov.

In the race for governor, Democratic nominee Charlie Crist picked the top teacher's union representative in Florida's largest public school district …

Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a new congressional map ahead of Florida's special session seeking to redraw the state's district lines. (Florida Legislature)

FL GOP's Congressional Redistricting Plan Likely Blocked for Discrimination

The new congressional map - crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature last month, scatters more than …

The American Federation of Teachers launched its

Book Bans, Censorship Met with 1M Free Books for Students, Families

As the state of Florida combs through textbooks to ban content with diverse views, a national campaign pledges to deliver a million free books with …

A protest led by Democrats including Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville temporarily halted the Florida House's consideration of Gov. Ron DeSantis' congressional map. (Rep. Angie Nixon/Facebook)

DeSantis Wages War Against Anti-Racism, Corporate 'Wokeness'

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been confronting a lot of issues dealing with race and inclusion. The latest is his signing into law his version of Florida's …

Floridians can follow the state's redistricting process via floridaredistricting.gov. (State of Florida)

DeSantis Would Cut Florida's Black Representation in Half

Florida's redistricting saga continues Tuesday when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session to essentially give Gov. Ron DeSantis what …

As a case about Florida election-law changes that went into effect in 2021 is heard in federal court, state lawmakers are advancing even more voting restrictions. (Trimmel Gomes)

FL Lawmakers Double Down on Voting Restrictions

Florida Republicans are proposing yet another sweeping change to state election laws. The new bill would establish an Office of Election Crimes and …

Groups such as Veterans for Responsible Leadership and We the Veterans are urging current and former military officials to continue to stand up for democracy. (eurobanks/Adobe Stock)

Veterans Raise Concerns About Far-Right Group Membership

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Veterans across the aisle are concerned about what they call recent attacks on democracy by far-right organizations. On July 4th…

Nearly one in four adults living in households with children said they felt

Report Suggests FL Gains in Child Well-Being Could be Temporary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An annual report on child well-being underscores the need in Florida for specific action to repair the damage caused by the …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

Polling by the Hart Research Associates shows 85% of voters support federal law ensuring the right to reproductive health care, including abortion, annual screenings and birth control. (Adobe Stock)

Proposal Would Guarantee Access to Abortion Across U.S.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill they say would ensure access to safe abortions across the country, just as …

In the most recent National Agricultural Workers Survey, 23% percent of farmworkers said they haven't sought medical care because the cost is too high. With economic hardship of COVID-19, that number has likely increased. (Adobe Stock)

DeSantis Urged to Prioritize FL Farmworkers in COVID Vaccine Rollout

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Florida farmworkers' rights groups say it is urgent farmworkers be deemed "essential" in Gov. Ron DeSantis' COVID-19 vaccine …

'Anti-Riot' Bill May Be Dead on Arrival in FL Senate, Advances in House

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A controversial anti-rioting bill championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving quickly toward passage in the House, but is likely to …

Gov. Ron DeSantis touts his COVID-19 vaccination plan as putting seniors first, or leading the nation for people age 65+. However, the data tracking has been plagued with controversy. (Pixabay)

Officials Call on DeSantis to Apologize Over Vaccine Threats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Black elected officials are speaking out about what they see as Gov. Ron DeSantis's pattern of prioritizing COVID-19 vaccines for …

President Joe Biden included the federal implementation of the anti-discrimination decision in Bostock V. Clayton County in a series of Day One executive orders. (Sharon McCutcheon/Pexels)

Florida Adds Statewide Protections for LGBTQ Individuals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning community is now fully protected under state law against …

Florida's coastlines have been hit hard in recent years by sea-level rise and the increased intensity and frequency of tropical storms. (Selcuk/Adobe Stock)

From FL to Central America, Climate Change Forces Migration

MIAMI -- As Florida faces the consequences of climate change -- from rising sea levels to more frequent and more severe hurricanes -- experts predict …

Gov. Ron DeSantis broke with recommendations from a CDC advisory committee that said essential workers and people age 75 and older should receive the vaccine next. DeSantis expanded his order to people 65 and older. (Pexel)

Black Floridians Getting COVID Vaccinations at Lower Rates

TAMPA, Fla. - Some community-health advocates say access to the COVID-19 vaccine is as big a problem as distrust of the process in Black communities…

La Fundaci�n Lumina cre� el Fondo de Equidad y Justicia Racial en el a�o de 2017 luego de la manifestaci�n

Trabajos en grupo para investigar desigualdades en el pago de pasantías

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Los ex pasantes no remunerados en el Congreso, están ampliando su búsqueda de pasantías remuneradas con un …

A new study finds Latino students who enroll in college face a

Study: Latinos in FL Face Growing ‘Completion Gap’ to Earning Degree

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- While the number of Latinos entering college in Florida and across America is increasing, new research shows many lag behind in …

Un estudio nuevo encontr� que los estudiantes Latinos que se inscriben a

Estudio: Latinos en FL enfrentan una mayor “Brecha de Terminación” para obtener un título

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Los latinos que ingresan a "college" enfrentan una "brecha de terminación", en comparacióon con otros grupos incluidos …

Amendment 4, passed by Florida voters in 2018, restored voting rights to people who had been convicted of felonies but served their time. (Trimmel Gomes)

Despite Confusion, Thousands of Former FL Felons Voted Successfully

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Voting-rights advocates say they're working to keep the momentum going, registering Floridians with felony convictions so they …

Se invita a estudiantes con experiencia previa de College o entrenamiento t�cnico en el �rea de Tampa Bay a recibir asesor�a gratuita para ayudarles a titularse en

“LEAP Tampa Bay” mantiene vivo el Programa de Finalización de Estudios, a nivel local

TAMPA, Fla. -- Regresar a la escuela siendo adulto implica varios retos, pero el programa "Leap Tampa Bay" (Salto Tampa Bay) está ayudando a los …

Faith leaders are calling for welcoming and safe environments for immigrants, regardless of their legal status. (Daniel Di Palma/Wikimedia Commons)

Florida Faith Leaders Join Call to End Child Detention at Border

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Some Floridians have joined more than 450 faith leaders signing an open letter to President Donald Trump and the Republican …

This year, Virginia became the first state in the South to pass comprehensive statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, while 60% of Floridians achieve similar protections through local ordinances. (MAP)

Report: FL Bucks Southern Trend of 'Hostile' LGBTQ Policies

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - LGBTQ people in the southern U.S. are living under the "most hostile policy landscape" in the country, according to a new report …

A federal appeals court's decision is seen as a setback for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a series of legal challenges from a Republican-led effort to make ex-felons pay court-ordered fines and fees before they can vote. (FRRC)

Class Action Could Restore Voting Rights of Former Criminal Offenders in FL

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In the quest to restore voting rights to the nearly 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions, there is new hope that …

Las enmiendas a la Constituci�n de Florida pueden ser hechas mediante una decisi�n conjunta de la Legislatura de Florida, una iniciativa ciudadana, o una propuesta ya por la Comisi�n de Revisi�n de la Constituci�n, o la Comisi�n de Taxaci�n y Reforma Presupuestal. (Florida Memory)

Ley Bliss de FL pudiera obstaculizar las iniciativas ciudadanas

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- La legislación propuesta (HB 7037/SB 1794) podría dificultar que las peticiones ciudadanas lleguen a ser votadas…

Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (center right), rallied at Florida's Capitol with about 600 people calling for criminal justice reform. (FRRC)

Fighting to Eliminate Voter Confusion for FL Ex-Offenders

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The news was spreading with excitement after a Florida appeals court affirmed the state can't stop some people released from …

At the Florida State Capitol this week, advocates of criminal-justice reform say it involves not only the rights of people who are incarcerated, but addresses state budget and prison overcrowding issues as well. (Casey Bruce-White)

Hundreds Rally at FL Capitol for Criminal-Justice Reform

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Civil-rights advocates and families of people serving time in Florida prisons are rallying support for a package of prison-reform …

The discovery of a slave cemetery has spawned discussion about how to dignify the souls in eternal rest beneath the golf course at Tallahassee's Capital City Country Club. (Pixabay)

Civil Rights Leaders: Memorial Should Honor Slave Cemetery at Country Club

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After decades of speculation, rumors - and even some evidence that was initially ignored - an archaeological investigation …

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, 1-in-10 Florida children lives in a neighborhood with concentrated poverty, and children of color are disproportionately impacted. (Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay)

Report: 459,000 of Florida’s Children Live in Concentrated Poverty

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new report shows 459,000 Florida children, 11% of children in the state, live in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty…

Florida is in the crosshairs of climate change, putting real estate and people at risk from storm surges aggravated by sea-level rise. (Adobe Stock)

Women of Color Lead "Fighter League" to Combat Climate Change in the South

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A pilot project called "Fighter League" is arming women of color with the tools they need to fight climate change. Two …

Union soldier re-enactor poses with children during Florida's Emancipation Day Celebration on May 20, 2015, at the Knott House Museum in Tallahassee. (Florida Memory)

Why Juneteenth is an Encore Celebration in Florida, Other States

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – While most of the country celebrates Juneteenth to commemorate the end of chattel slavery, Florida celebrates its own …

Florida's population projections show the number of children will increase by an additional 1.1 million by 2045. (FeeLoona/Pixabay)

Report: Florida Improves in Child Education, Lags in Well-Being

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new report calls for continued work to expand access to health care to improve the well-being of children in Florida…

These photos, used with permission of The Tallahassee Democrat, show Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel in blackface at a 2005 Halloween party. (Tallahassee Democrat)

Caught in Blackface, Florida Elections Chief Resigns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida's new elections chief was forced to resign on Thursday after just three weeks on the job, when a newspaper …

Luc Bastien, left, stands with union brothers at 32BJ SEIU after canvassing. (32BJ SEIU)

Immigrants, Non-voters Helped Increase Florida Voter Turnout

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In a final push to support candidates and issues they care about, a group of immigrant, Latino and Haitian union workers - many …

Earthjustice has requested a response to its Freedom of Information Act request within 10 days from the federal government over plans to house determined immigrants at toxic-waste sites. (Pixabay)

Concerns Mount Over Toxic Wastes at Migrant Detention Centers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – From the toxic stress of being separated from families, environmental and health advocates say they are now concerned about …

The ACLU requested that parents have at least one week to decide whether to pursue asylum in the United States after they are reunited with their children. (Sasha Ivanova/Twenty/20)

Immigration Advocates: Reunited Families Shouldn't be Kept in Cages

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After a federal judge temporarily halted deportations of immigrant families reunited at the southwest border, immigrant-…

An economic study by the Washington Economics Group shows an increase in annual household income of $151 million for Florida residents if voters approve Amendment 4. (Pixabay)

Study: Voter Restoration Would Add $365 Million to FL Economy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new study says restoring the voting rights of former felons would provide a big boost to Florida's economy. The study …

The House is expected to vote to get rid of a consumer protection measure meant to stop car dealers from charging more for car loans based on race. (Sabina Akhmedova/Twenty20)

Consumer Advocates Warn Against Repeal of Auto-Loan Discrimination Rule

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – According to several consumer-backed studies, the color of your skin can make buying a car more expensive. In 2013…

Democrats in the Florida Senate want to ban weapons such as the AR-15 assault-style rifle, which was used to kill 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14. (Trimmel Gomes)

FL Senate OKs Plan to Arm Teachers, Rejects Assault-Weapons Ban

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After hours of intense debate, the Florida Senate rejected an assault weapons ban this weekend, while moving forward with a …

Florida is one of four states that denies the right to vote to all people convicted of felonies until they petition the state to restore those rights. (Amanda Wood/Flickr)

Federal Judge Nixes FL's Voter-Restoration Process

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a surprise victory for voting rights advocates, a federal judge has ruled Florida's current system for restoring voting …

Los sindicatos laborales ofrecen una oportunidad a los trabajadores de negociar colectivamente sus salarios. (Pixabay)

Sindicalistas conservadores objetan ley que coarta a sindicatos

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – El Congreso de Florida votó el jueves pasado la iniciativa que los líderes republicanos de la Legislatura …

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FL: Human Rights/Racial Justice