Metro | Politics - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | POLITICS

Florida’s 15-week abortion ban bill stirs up students, residents, local representatives

By Thandie Brown and Carissa Allen | Feb. 25, 2022

A GOP-backed proposal banning abortion procedures after 15 weeks of pregnancy could change the narrative for women’s reproductive rights in Gainesville. The Florida Legislature is expected to pass the controversial Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction bill, HB5. It passed the House with a 78-39 vote Feb. 17.

METRO | POLITICS

‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills will silence discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity in classrooms

By Carissa Allen | Feb. 7, 2022

The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ companion bills, HB1557/SB1834, are circulating through the Florida legislature. The pair of bills would limit discussions about LGBTQ+ and transgender identities “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”

Protestors gather at the corner of West University Avenue and Southwest 13th Street before marching to Cora P. Roberson Park on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

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Florida lawmakers to hear Texas-style heartbeat abortion law, Gainesville residents express mixed views

By Faith Buckley | Oct. 4, 2021

In Florida’s bill, abortion would be allowed until detection of a fetal heartbeat, which generally happens about six weeks into a pregnancy. With proper documentation, exceptions are available or victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at C.B. Smith Park, Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Pembroke Pines, Fla. The park will be used for a drive thru COVID-19 testing facility. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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How Gov. DeSantis’ latest budget approval affects Alachua County

By Alexander Lugo | June 9, 2021

DeSantis approved funding for a sports complex and vetoed two projects that would have funded transportation and medical resources to vulnerable Gainesville residents.

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Gainesville mayor to set up guaranteed income payments to former prisoners

By Alexander Lugo | June 1, 2021

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe is working to implement a program that would give guaranteed income to formerly incarcerated people in Gainesville following their release.

Dayanna Peek, a UF international studies freshman, speaks at a GoDDsville Dream Defenders event bringing awareness to Florida House Bill 1 on Friday, April 2, 2021.

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Gainesville City Commissioners take first step in potential lawsuit over House Bill 1

By Alexander Lugo | May 24, 2021

Gainesville’s City Commission approved a motion that will allow two nonprofits and the city attorney to draft a formal complaint against Florida’s House Bill 1. The complaint could lead to a lawsuit that would challenge the bill in court.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis signs sweeping protest bill into law: How will it impact Gainesville?

By Anna Wilder and Alan Halaly | Apr. 21, 2021

In Gainesville, a college town where the median age is about 26, organized demonstrations occur frequently. Although Gainesville protests almost never descend into violence, some students and local activists are worried about the precedent the legislation will set.

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East Gainesville pastor joins Black clergymen to lobby against Florida Senate vote-by-mail bill

By Alan Halaly | Apr. 7, 2021

Vote-by-mail drop boxes can alleviate the stress of commuting to a precinct for voters of color, those in low income communities, disabled people and those in quarantine, the clergymen’s letter to Florida lawmakers read.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Halifax Health Medical Center Sunday, May 3, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Business owners across much of Florida were busy Sunday preparing to reopen Monday under new restrictions. Gov. Ron DeSantis said he’s deliberately taking things slowly during re-opening. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Gainesville activists travel to Tallahassee to speak out against Gov. DeSantis’ protest bill

By Alan Halaly | Feb. 1, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ House Bill 1 would increase criminal penalties for participating in a “riot,” defined as a “tumultuous disturbance of the peace by three or more people.”

Stephanie Birch, a 32-year-old UF African American studies librarian, attends the Unite Against the Far Right rally at Gainesville City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. She said police were more hostile toward Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer than to the violent President Donald Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol Wednesday, so she came to protest.

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Gainesville progressive groups gather at City Hall after riot at U.S. Capitol

By Corbin Bolies , Alan Halaly and Lucille Lannigan | Jan. 7, 2021

City and county activist groups gathered outside Gainesville City Hall Thursday night to protest the far right after Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill on Jan. 6. Demonstrators also called for District 3 Rep. Kat Cammack's resignation, though she issued a statement Wednesday condemning the violence in D.C.

The Phillips Center for the Performing Arts had Election Day voting and drive-thru COVID testing on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Gainesville, Fla.

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Alachua County voting demographics from the 2020 presidential election show increases in turnout

By Steven Walker | Nov. 30, 2020

Voting numbers increased in many demographics, and decreased in others

METRO | POLITICS

What having a president who stutters means to me

By Paloma Quadri | Nov. 18, 2020

I have had a stutter ever since I can remember. I carry it with me to every restaurant I order from, every job interview I have, every class I have to speak in front of and everywhere else.

From left: Kamala Harris, vice president-elect; Anna Prizzia (top), Alachua County Commissioner-elect; Kat Cammack (bottom), elected to serve District 3 in the U.S. House of Representatives; and Mary Alford, Alachua County Commissioner-elect.

METRO | POLITICS

Women win big in Alachua County, Florida and national politics

By Alan Halaly | Nov. 8, 2020

Alachua County to be represented by women on the county commission, in Congress and in the White House

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Biden’s victory shows us that normalcy triumphs chaos. Amendment 2’s victory shows us that the youth vote matters

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 7, 2020

It is easy for a young person to feel frustrated with a system that only occasionally listens to their voice. However, the passage of Amendment 2, serves as a silver lining: a reminder that the youth vote mattered.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden wins the 2020 presidential election, will serve as the 46th president of the U.S.

By Steven Walker | Nov. 7, 2020

Four days after Election Day, the results are known: Joe Biden is the president-elect.

Students at Oak View Middle School cast their votes.

METRO | POLITICS

As U.S. awaits final election results, Alachua County students overwhelmingly supported Biden in mock election

By Sophie Feinberg | Nov. 6, 2020

More than 63% of students supported Biden, mirroring election trends in Alachua County

Capturing a photo with the physical adhesive "I Voted" sticker after casting a ballot is a trend especially popular among Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012.

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The era of social media meets Gen Z voters

By Valentina Botero | Nov. 4, 2020

Pictures of “I Voted” stickers flood social media feeds

Kat Cammack, winner of the Congressional District 3 race in the 2020 election, is seen giving an opening speech at President Donald Trump's campaign rally last month. The event was held at the Ocala International Airport in Florida on Oct. 16, 2020.

METRO | POLITICS

Live results: National and local election updates

Nov. 3, 2020

As of Thursday at 2 p.m., Biden sits at 264 Electoral College votes, according to The Associated Press. The AP called both Michigan and Wisconsin for Biden late Wednesday afternoon after a surge of mail ballots swung the states in his favor.

METRO | POLITICS

No president-elect: Trump takes Florida, Biden wins Alachua County

By Steven Walker | Nov. 3, 2020

The fate of the presidency hangs in the balance of the Midwest and Georgia

Justin McKenzie (left) and Dee Natour (right) sit in Bo Diddley Plaza during the election results watch party hosted by the Dream Defenders on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

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UF students watch national elections in dorms, off campus

By Lianna Hubbard | Nov. 3, 2020

Students got together virtually and in person on election night