City Council members were in the middle of a public hearing when the shuffling from the back started.
About two dozen protesters — black, white, young, old — began sitting in the audience.
It was after 6 p.m. and by that time most of the council’s business was done. The crowd was sparse, but those who had stuck around craned their necks to see the new group.
They also noticed other visitors along the walls. Uniformed police officers, about half a dozen.
As protests raged in Ferguson, Mo., and other demonstrations popped up across the U.S., this was part of Jacksonville joining the stage for a message to be sent. A message about perceived injustice in the wake of a grand jury decision to not indict a white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown.
Despite the anger, there were no dust-ups or violent displays like in other cities.
Jacksonville’s displays started earlier Tuesday night when about 70 people met in Hemming Park to peacefully protest. They made their way to the Main Street Bridge during rush hour, lining the street to block traffic for about a minute. Some later handed out fliers expressing their cause at Rosa Parks Transit Station.
From there it was to council, where many filled out the blue speaker cards.
“You have the ability to bring justice back into the system,” Josh Weber told council members. “Come back to the side of the people.”
Janet Harper said she showed up to support “everyone in Ferguson” and help others who didn’t know how to become involved in the process.
Aleta Alston-Toure, head of the local New Jim Crow Movement, told council members of the children being killed by law enforcement and that “Michael Brown is not just in Ferguson.”
Outside of a few bursts of applause — demonstrations of any kind are against council rules — the visit to the Council Chamber went smoothly.
A couple of council members showed appreciation for the protesters’ interest.
Lori Boyer asked Weber if he was aware of the upcoming sheriff’s race, the one with several candidates in the running. That election, she said, was a “real opportunity” to have their voices heard and become further engaged.
At the end of the meeting, several protesters hung around to talk to a couple of council members and police officers.
“We recognize the fundamental right to protest and we’re here to protect that right,” said Assistant Chief for Special Events Leonard Propper.
Several protesters said they’d continue throughout the week. But for one night, it was over.
Other news from Tuesday’s council meeting:
• There was no vote on the pension deal. On Monday, council members approved a slew of changes. Before Tuesday’s meeting they again met to talk about more changes, but ultimately decided to keep the massive reform bill at the committee level for at least another week. It will head back to the Rules and Finance committees next week with updated language reflecting each of the changes so far.
• Council approved two
settlements with Scenic Jacksonville and two companies regarding the ban on outdoor billboards. The agreement comes after lengthy litigation and prohibits installation and requires removal of billboards along some roadways, mainly near neighborhoods, in exchange for the ability to erect electronic billboards in higher traffic areas.
• It also passed a measure that lets residents petition to lower speed limits on local roads. The move lets homeowners’ associations or similar groups request a reduction in speed limits from 30 mph to 20- to 25-mph. It requires support of at least 75 percent of the property owners on a road. In the same vein of public safety, council passed a bill that lets council members request the installation of a marked crosswalk within their district.
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