Today’s Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories on the First Coast.
Guests:
- Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today reporter
- Charles Griggs, regular contributor
- Jack Webb, regular contributor
- Shelton Hull, Folio Weekly reporter
Activist arrested while protesting Confederate monuments
A Jacksonville civil rights leader was pulled out of the City Council chambers and arrested Tuesday night as he and multiple speakers pressed lawmakers to take action and remove Confederate monuments around the city.
Ben Frazier, leader of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, was charged with trespass with warning and resisting arrest after he didn’t heed Council President Terrance Freeman’s repeated requests to stop speaking during a 90-minute public comment period filled with people speaking for and against monument removal.
Frazier says he doesn’t regret speaking beyond his one-minute of allotted time and being removed in handcuffs.
Is Mayor Curry violating the First Amendment?
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry could be violating the First Amendment, according to a new report from Jacksonville Today.
When Curry tweets from his official account, the only people who are allowed to comment are accounts he follows or mentions. That block could violate First Amendment rights, according to free speech experts.
Gov. DeSantis calls for grand jury investigation of COVID vaccines
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the state’s Supreme Court to green-light an investigation of “any and all wrongdoing in Florida with respect to COVID-19 vaccines,” his latest move to cast doubt on the vaccines’ effectiveness and amplify concerns about side effects.
In the petition filed with the Florida Supreme Court, the governor requests the empaneling of a grand jury to investigate a broad group of entities associated with the development, distribution and promotion of the vaccines, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and their executive officers, as well as medical associations.
Jason Woods’ 'A Christmas Carol'
Award-winning off-Broadway actor Jason Woods returns to Jacksonville next week for the 10th anniversary of his one-man version of "A Christmas Carol."
Woods plays more than 20 characters in the show, and he joined us in studio to give a live preview.
Guest: Jason Woods
