CPD partner Organize Florida joined with local allies to organize an emergency action on January 29 in Ybor City, Tampa, a city built by Cuban and Italian immigrants. A crowd of more than a 100 showed up chanting to protect immigrants and refugees.

Three local officials - House Representative Sean Shaw, City Council Member Guido Maniscalco, and newly elected City Council Member Luis Viera each spoke about the urgent need to stand up for justice. Two women from CAIR, a Syrian American and a Lebanese American, told their stories to the crowd. Standing behind a banner that said “Because We Love We Will Resist” held by Muslim women, all 450 attendees took up both lanes of traffic marching down 7th Avenue, the busiest main street in Ybor, successfully holding up traffic for more than an hour in front of the gathered media.

Check out photos of the action on Organize Florida’s Facebook page!