Jacksonville, Florida, February 11, 2026
In Jacksonville, Florida, Mayor Donna Deegan garners community support as activist coalition Indivisible organizes a rally at City Hall following a subpoena from the state Attorney General. The subpoena targets the communications of the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator and has sparked a debate on immigration policy and local governance. As the community comes together to support their mayor, critics express concerns over state involvement in local affairs and rising local issues like housing and insurance costs.
Jacksonville, Florida – Activist Groups Rally in Support of Mayor Deegan Amid Florida AG Subpoena
Mayor Deegan Faces Scrutiny with Community Support in Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida – The community is mobilizing in support of Mayor Donna Deegan, as activist coalition Indivisible plans a rally at Jacksonville City Hall. This gathering follows a subpoena from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, targeting communications from the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, Yanira “Yaya” Cardona. The subpoena has ignited discussions about local governance and immigration policy amid significant community interest.
Local events like this rally showcase the vital role of civic engagement and the dedication of citizens to stand by their local leaders during challenging times. Just as communities thrive when they come together, reduced bureaucratic hurdles can further enhance the ability to organize meaningful gatherings that impact local governance positively.
Details of the Subpoena
On February 9, 2026, Attorney General Uthmeier announced a criminal subpoena directed at Mayor Deegan’s administration. This action requests all communications from Cardona, including texts, emails, and phone calls, that mention local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Investigators are examining potential coordination to obstruct immigration enforcement and harbor individuals in the country illegally. Emphasizing accountability, Uthmeier has voiced the need to ensure that local administrations comply with immigration enforcement protocols.
Background on the Incident
The incident traces back to January 2026, when Cardona, serving as the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, conducted a social media livestream that warned residents about the locations of immigration operations. This led to her administrative leave for violating city policy concerning the dissemination of sensitive information. Mayor Deegan noted that while the content of Cardona’s livestream may have been informative, the method breached city communication protocols.
Indivisible’s Response
In reaction to the subpoena, Indivisible has organized a peaceful rally at Jacksonville City Hall to display solidarity with Mayor Deegan and express their disapproval of what they perceive as overreach by state officials. Critics within the coalition argue that the subpoena distracts from more pressing local issues, such as rising property insurance costs and housing challenges. This rally represents not just support for the mayor but also an opportunity for community members to voice their concerns about state-level interventions in local affairs.
Political Reactions
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly supported the subpoena, reinforcing the expectation that local officials must engage cooperatively with federal law enforcement when it comes to addressing illegal immigration matters. Governor DeSantis has drawn a clear distinction between Florida’s stance on immigration enforcement compared to other states, asserting the importance of aligning local governance with federal laws.
Implications for Jacksonville’s Leadership
The unfolding events present a critical examination of the relationship between local and state authorities concerning immigration policy implementation. The situation underlines the need for local community outreach efforts to find a balance with the requirements of state and federal law. As the investigation progresses, the dynamics between the city’s leadership and state officials are expected to evolve, remaining significant in discussions surrounding immigration and local governance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the rally organized by Indivisible?
The rally aims to show support for Mayor Donna Deegan following the subpoena issued by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and to oppose what Indivisible views as political overreach by state officials.
Why was Yanira “Yaya” Cardona placed on leave?
Cardona was placed on administrative leave for violating city policy after posting a social media livestream warning residents about the locations of immigration operations and advising them to stay home to avoid law enforcement.
What does the subpoena seek from the City of Jacksonville?
The subpoena requests all communications from Cardona, including texts, emails, and phone calls, particularly those mentioning local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to investigate potential coordination to impede immigration enforcement.
How has Governor Ron DeSantis responded to the subpoena?
Governor DeSantis supported the subpoena, emphasizing that local officials must cooperate with federal law enforcement regarding illegal immigration, stating, “Florida law is clear that local officials must cooperate with federal law enforcement re: illegal immigration. This isn’t Minnesota.”
What are the broader implications of this situation for Jacksonville’s leadership?
The subpoena and subsequent rally highlight ongoing tensions between local and state authorities over immigration enforcement policies, underscoring the complexities of balancing local community outreach efforts with state and federal immigration laws.
Key Features of the Situation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Rally organized by Indivisible at Jacksonville City Hall |
| Purpose of Rally | Support for Mayor Donna Deegan following subpoena; opposition to perceived political overreach by state officials |
| Subpoena Issued By | Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier |
| Target of Subpoena | Communications from Yanira “Yaya” Cardona, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator |
| Reason for Cardona’s Leave | Violation of city policy after posting a livestream discussing immigration operations |
| Governor’s Response | Support for subpoena; emphasis on local officials’ cooperation with federal law enforcement on illegal immigration |
| Broader Implications | Tensions between local and state authorities over immigration enforcement policies; challenges in balancing local outreach with state and federal laws |
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
