On the evening of May 27, 2025, three of our community members, Conor Cauley, Leah Grady, and Dragon, were arrested in what was nothing more than an attempt to repress their freedom of speech and political expression. At every City Council meeting, dedicated community members and representatives of JPSN attend to condemn Jacksonville’s continued support for the genocide in occupied Palestine and to make our demands heard. Our freedom of expression has always been repressed in these meetings, all while “friends” of the council are awarded endless freedom to show support. Shortly after these “friends” clapped in affirmation of a council member, Leah Grady was arrested for clapping in support of a fellow JPSN member’s point being made. JSO officers immediately approached Leah and began to arrest her.
Several other people, including Conor Cauley, began recording the officers executing the unjust arrest. A viral video shows Conor peacefully exercising his right to record public officials. In the video, we see an officer negligently pushing Conor’s arm in an attempt to prevent his phone from recording. As anyone in that situation would do, Conor reflexively and gently removed the officer’s hand from his arm. In typical fashion, the officer immediately reacted by brutally grabbing Conor’s head and ripping him over a set of seats, throwing Conor to the ground and subsequently causing Leah to fall as well. This action was nothing short of state-sanctioned police brutality in retaliation, not of Conor’s gentle removal of the officer’s hand, but of his and Leah’s political expression.
For those that know Conor Cauley, they know that he is one of the most composed, well-spoken, and compassionate people they have met. He has and will always stand up for what is right regardless of the consequences that may arise. His dedication to the Jacksonville community and the liberation of all oppressed people is something that inspires us all.
We see state-sponsored brutality of people like Conor everyday, not because they are a threat to the physical safety of anyone, but rather because they are a threat to the dominant ideology that oppresses working people around the world. The brutalization of Conor Cauley and the subsequent bogus charges that followed are the state’s archetypal method of repressing our political speech.
Regarding the charges that the state is pursuing, Conor was first charged with resisting arrest with violence. After he refused the state’s plead deal, they tacked on a felony charge of battery of an officer. The video clearly shows that Conor handled himself with composure and exhibited nothing that a sane person would consider violent. The other charge is possession of a weapon in an official meeting. A quick search on Florida’s definition of a weapon debunks this charge as well. The lack any legal basis for these charges makes clear that the only motive of the state is political repression. This fact is further supported by the state’s proposal of a “restorative justice” session given to Conor at his first hearing. Restorative justice refers to when the arresting officer and their victim sit down together to “talk it out” in exchange for them and the community to cease all protesting and political speech involving the case. Ironically, restorative justice has no bearing on the case and in no way assures Conor’s freedom. This only further solidifies the state’s only goal is to repress political speech.
Since Conor’s arrest, he was fired from his job and has found it impossible to find employment because of the slanderous articles and news reports published by our local news agencies. News4Jax and Action News Jax have zero loyalty to the truth or integrity. Their loyalty lies with the members of City Council, Mayor’s office, and JSO. They are agents of the powerful; those who continue to repress, oppress, and even erase our liberties and history.
When asked if Conor would do anything different, he adamantly said no. Furthermore, it is Conor’s desire to politicize his case to further expose the repressive intentions of Jacksonville City Council, Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office. We should all strive to have the commitment to real justice that Conor Cauley exhibits everyday.