Organization hosts anti-police rally, demanding Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office disband gang unit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An anti-police rally took place on the steps of Jacksonville City Hall Wednesday, demanding the sheriff’s office disband the gang unit.

The rally, which was hosted by Jacksonville Community Action, a group that describes itself as a “black led, grassroots organization created to fight for justice and liberation,” called to disband the sheriff’s gang unit.

On X, the organization said, “THE RACIST GANG UNIT HAS GOT TO GO!”

Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville, said in a statement to Florida’s Voice that the protest is “another example of the left’s ongoing campaign to defund the police.”

“These protesters held signs that called our police officers ‘killers’ and said that ‘police officers don’t solve crimes.’ Are you kidding me?” Black said.

“We should dissolve the gangs, not the police unit trying to keep us safe from them!” He continued. “I hope the Mayor and our City Council will condemn these protests and show that Jacksonville stands with our men and women in blue!”

The group’s flier displayed a photo of Le’Keian Woods, who was arrested in September and allegedly booked on “multiple criminal charges,” including armed trafficking in methamphetamine, armed trafficking in cocaine, armed possession of a controlled substance and resisting an officer.

Sheriff T.K. Waters said cell phone footage of Woods’ arrest was “intentionally altered” to imply that a detective “kicked” the suspect while in handcuffs

“There was force used by arresting detectives and yes, that force is ugly, but the reality is that all force, all violence is ugly,” Waters previously said. “And just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to policy.”

After the cell phone camera footage of Woods’ arrest went viral on social media, it led to community outrage. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee organized a rally at the sheriff’s office headquarters titled “Protest against JSO Racial Injustice” and called for three things, including:

• “Demanding all officers involved in this beating are held accountable.”
• “Calling for the immediate dissolving to the failed practices of the JSO gang unit.”
• “Demanding the implementation of a Public Safety Committee.”

City Councilman Nick Howland told Florida’s Voice the sheriff’s office’s gang unit is a “critical part” of the city’s effort to “prevent and reduce violent crime.”

“I support JSO wholeheartedly, and will continue to do everything I can on City Council to ensure the Sheriff has the resources he needs to make our streets and neighborhoods safer for Jacksonville families,” Howland said.

City Council President Ron Salem said he is “supportive of the sheriff to do his job.”

“He’s constitutionally elected and it’s the council’s job to provide those resources so he can do his job,” Salem said.

Florida’s Voice reached out to Mayor Donna Deegan’s office to ask if the mayor condemned the anti-police rally, but have not yet received a response.

A statement from the sheriff’s office reported by Action News Jax following the rally read:

“The Gang Unit was started in 2007 to directly respond to group and/or gang violence and the criminal enterprises associated therein. This unit has the responsibility of addressing crimes perpetrated by those having ties to a myriad of documented gangs and other organized groups in our City.  The detectives assigned to this unit specialize in recognizing gang and group activity and proactively work to mitigate instances of violence before they occur.  The unit also functions to assist JSO’s Patrol Division along with other investigative units to supplement manpower during complex and long-term criminal group investigations, including Homicides, Robberies, and Aggravated Batteries.

This unit plays a major role in subject intervention as they are routinely involved in “Custom Notifications”.  A key aspect of the “Group Violence Intervention” (GVI) program is that members make contact with at-risk subjects to assist them in removing themselves from the gang or group lifestyle, thereby reducing violent crimes before they occur.  Being an active participant in this outreach strategy for years, JSO has helped countless individuals in removing them from this way of life.

Sheriff Waters introduced this program in our community in 2016 while working as an Assistant Chief at JSO.  As Sheriff, he continues to be a firm believer in the strategy and is confident of its continued success.”

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office