After starting the petition drive, we requested a meeting with Melissa Nelson to discuss the decision to drop charges against in the machete attack against Harris supporters outside the Beaches Library early voting site last October.  On Feb. 12th, representatives from BAM, the Northside Coalition, and the Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters met via ZOOM with Assistant State Attorney Octavius Holliday, who handled the case. Mr. Holliday outlined the factors that led to the decision to drop charges. We disagreed with his explanation and asked again to meet with Ms. Nelson to share our concerns regarding the impact of this decision and the message it sends about the lack of consequences for this behavior. She subsequently refused to meet with us and reopen the case.

This morning, BAM delivered the petition opposing the decision to drop charges --- signed by more than 630 people --- to the State Attorney's office. We asked if Ms. Nelson was available to receive it -- she was not -- and then sat in the lobby for more than an hour waiting for her executive assistant to come down and pick it up from us. We finally left it with the receptionist.

On Saturday, March 15, voting rights groups in Jacksonville will hold a Freedom to Vote Rally and Press Conference to call attention to this decision and the inadequate response of the State Attorney to issues raised by organizations dedicated to protecting voting rights. It will take place at 1 p.m. outside the SA Office, 311 W. Monroe Street, Jacksonville. PLEASE ATTEND AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!