Protesters who held up traffic on the Hart Bridge last month had their first court appearances today at the Duval County Courthouse. Supporters rallied outside, calling on State Attorney Angela Corey to drop their charges.
The Dec. 8 protest was to demand justice for Eric Garner, who died after a New York City policeman put him in a chokehold during an arrest.
Members of the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition were among those at the courthouse. Member Joseph Willis says the actions of the so-called “Jax 19” protestors should be viewed in a larger context.